The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Govt to privatise services in hospitals Sumit Hakhoo Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Despite opposition from several quarters, including doctors, the government will go ahead with privatisation of services in Government Medical College, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh and other hospitals in the winter capital of the state. Under the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model, private sector will be allowed to run diagnostic equipment and install new sophisticated machinery, which are not available in these health institutions. Sources said financial constraints due to unplanned expansion of heath infrastructure sector in the state during the last one decade had pushed the government to introduce PPP model to run different services in government-run hospitals in the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. Most of the government hospitals lack latest equipment, including MRIs, digital radiography, high-end CT scan, PET scan and linear accelerator despite crores of annual budget. “It is an obvious outcome of big schemes and plans when implemented without a vision. The state invested in infrastructure development but did not bother to equip already functional hospitals,” said a senior official in the Health Department. Official sources said with most of the funds being diverted towards non-priority areas and construction of heath centres without giving any consideration on how to equip and run them had created chaos in city hospitals, which were almost on the verge of collapse due to an influx of thousands of patients every month. “The state is facing financial constraints to run medical facilities effectively. I don’t understand opposition to the model when it is running successfully in other parts of the country. There will be special concession for BPL and poor patients,” claimed Minister for Medical Education Taj Mohiuddin. Recently, the Medical Teachers Association (MTA), Jammu, had threatened to go on strike if the PPP model was introduced. Dr Tariq Azad, president, MTA, said the government had assured them that doctors and paramedical staff working in government hospitals would be allowed to use these machines. “We had opposed the decision of the government, but the minister has assured us that there will be no inference in our working and the private operators won’t stop us from using the equipment,” said Dr Azad. In the offing * The government will go ahead with the privatisation of services in Government Medical College, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh and other hospitals in Jammu. * Under the PPP model, private sector will be allowed to run diagnostic equipment and install new sophisticated machinery, which is not available in these health institutions.
	Body formed to fight ‘anti-student’ policies Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Students and scholars of Jammu University and its affiliated colleges today formulated a new organisation, Jammu Kashmir Scholar Student Front (JKSSF), to fight against the “anti-student” policies of the university authorities. Talking to mediapersons here, Kapil Shastri, a scholar from the Sanskrit Department, Jammu University, alleged that scholars and students were being subjected to exploitation and harassment by the authorities and it had become imperative to fight for the rights of the student community. “Research scholars are not getting registered because of anti-students and scholars policies of the University of Jammu,” the scholar alleged. Anil Sharma, another scholar of management studies, Jammu University, said students and scholars were deprived from their rights of concession to students in public transport. “It is unfortunate that no one is caring for such important issues of students and scholars, he said.
	Power dept casual workers demand regularisation Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Casual labourers working in the Power Development Department (PDD) are on an indefinite strike against continuous delay in completing the verification process for their regularisation in the department. Today protesters held a demonstration and alleged their regularisation process was being deliberately delayed by the government. “Casual labours are the backbone of the PDD in maintenance of its infrastructure and in the last two decades, nearly 100 workers have died during duty, but their families have not received any relief assistance, as they were not permanent workers,” they said. “We fail to understand, why the process was completed in Kashmir and Jammu has been left out from the process. Respective AEEs and Executive Engineers are not conducting the verification process,” said Shesh Kumar, Jammu province president, All J&K Casual Labourers Union. Even the government had accepted in the Legislative Assembly that the regularisation process of thousands of daily rate workers and causal labourers in the state was getting delayed as respective departments had failed to submit details to the sub-committee constituted by the government for the purpose.
	Annual Amarnath yatra from June 28 Registration begins on March 1; 44-day-long pilgrimage to conclude on Raksha Bandhan Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) today announced that the annual pilgrimage to Amarnath in south Kashmir would begin from June 28. The registration process would commence on March 1. The yatra would conclude on Raksha Bandhan on August 10. The pilgrimage schedule was finalised during the 26th board meeting of the SASB at New Delhi today, an official spokesperson said in a statement here. The meeting was presided over by Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the SASB. The 44-day-long yatra plan was decided keeping in view the safety and security of the pilgrims, the spokesperson said. The meeting was attended by members of the SASB — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dr Kapila Vatsyayan, Justice (retd) GD Sharma, Pandit Bhajan Sopori, Vijay Dhar, Prof Ved Kumari Ghai — as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Board Navin K Choudhary and Additional Chief Executive Officer Preet Pal Singh. The SASB also directed the CEO to arrange a special puja on the day of Jyesth Purnima on June 13. The pooja would, if possible, take place at the holy cave or any other suitable location in the yatra area. The board, meanwhile, deliberated in detail on the number of pilgrims who would be allowed to register for this year’s yatra. Considering the present carrying capacity of the tracks and other available infrastructure in the yatra area, the board has decided that 7,500 pilgrims, excluding those who would travel by helicopters to Panjtarni, would be allowed to register for the pilgrimage on per day per route basis, the spokesperson said. The SASB, meanwhile, directed the CEO to publicise that intending yatris need to furnish the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificate issued by the authorised doctors or medical institutes. The CEO informed the meeting that all states and Union Territories have been asked to furnish a list of doctors or institutes that would issue Compulsory Health Certificates to the medically fit pilgrims. The SASB further directed the CEO to compile state-wise lists of the nominated doctors or institutes and upload the information on the board’s website — www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. The CEO, on the occasion, also informed the SASB that in view of suggestions received from various quarters and the experience gained during the previous year’s pilgrimage, the designated expert committee has revised the 2013 food menu. He stated that this year the revised food menu would be applicable to all langar organisations as well as to all food stalls, shops or any other establishment, which comes up in the yatra area to serve or sell food or beverages to pilgrims or service providers. The SASB also reviewed the action plan, which has been drawn up for the conduct of this year’s yatra, particularly the arrangements being made for healthcare and sanitation and measures being taken to preserve the environment of the pilgrimage area. Advisory for yatris * Intending pilgrims must walk 4 or 5 km daily a month prior to the yatra * For improving the oxygen efficiency of the body, pilgrims must start doing deep breathing exercises and yoga, particularly pranayam * Pilgrims must carry adequate woollen clothing, a small umbrella, windcheater, raincoat, waterproof trekking shoes, torch, walking stick, a monkey cap, gloves, jacket, woollen socks and trousers * Children below 13 years, elderly people above 75 years and pregnant women not to be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage
	Six months on, Kishtwar riot victims yet to receive relief CM had announced an immediate aid of Rs 2 lakh to the affected Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Nearly six months after the riots shook Kishtwar, the victims are yet to receive “urgent relief” of Rs 2 lakh each announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on August 12 last year. Scores of people in Kishtwar had lost their livelihood in the communal clashes that broke out after the Eid prayers on August 9. While then Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, who had to resign from his post following the incident, was reinstated into the Cabinet recently, the violence-affected people are still awaiting the relief. Kichloo, who is an elected representative from Kishtwar, was camping in the town when the incident had happened. Property worth millions, including over 100 shops, seven hotels and 35 vehicles, was damaged by rioters, while three people were killed in the clashes. The riot-affected people rued the administrative apathy and said they were on the brink of starvation. “We have a joint business and suffered a loss of Rs 60 lakh to Rs 70 lakh in the communal violence. Five of our vehicles, including a truck loaded with goods, and shops were set on fire by rioters. But we have not received even a penny from the administration so far,” Surinder Gupta, a local businessman, told The Tribune over phone. Gupta accused the administration of “dilly-dallying” and added that no “urgent relief”, as announced by the Chief Minister, was provided to them to date. “After the communal violence, our family took a loan of Rs 30 lakh from the bank to restart the business,” he said. Another victim also lamented the government indifference. “The administration has not kept its promise about the compensation announced. My house and shop were intentionally targeted by rioters. I am not even in a position to pay the school fees of my children. I am toiling hard to make ends meet and restart my business,” he said. Arun Gupta, secretary general, Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said they were given to understand that people were being compensated. “We will get all the details on why the compensation has not been paid so far. We will pressurise the administration so that the victims are provided relief,” he said. Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Baseer Ahmad Khan, meanwhile, said the district administration had disbursed relief among 58 affected people. “The people who completed the formalities have been provided the relief. We are holding meetings on a weekly basis and the process of disbursing relief is on. The next meeting will be held on January 21 and whosoever completes the formalities will be provided the financial assistance,” Khan said. To a query about the immediate relief announced by the Chief Minister, Khan said there was no provision of “urgent relief” in the order issued by the government. “The affected people would only be given a maximum of Rs 5 lakh for the losses,” he said. Huge damage * Kishtwar riot victims yet to get immediate cash relief of ~2 lakh, announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on August 12, 2013 * The district administration says there is no provision of “urgent relief” in the order issued by the government after the violence * Property worth millions, including over 100 shops, seven hotels and 35 vehicles, was damaged by rioters, while three people were killed in the clashes that broke out after the Eid prayers in Kishtwar on August 9, 2013 Huge damage * Kishtwar riot victims yet to get immediate cash relief of ~2 lakh, announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on August 12, 2013 * The district administration says there is no provision of “urgent relief” in the order issued by the government after the violence * Property worth millions, including over 100 shops, seven hotels and 35 vehicles, was damaged by rioters, while three people were killed in the clashes that broke out after the Eid prayers in Kishtwar on August 9, 2013
	NC hits out at BJP for U-turn on Article 370 Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Lashing out at the BJP for its “U-turn” over the issue of Article 370, the National Conference today said the party has lost its credibility for being “parochial, communal and divisive”. “The fascist party that has been parroting abrogation of the Article 370 for the past six and half decades has lost its credibility for being parochial, communal and divisive,” senior NC leader Ali Mohammad Sagar said while addressing people at the Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here this morning. BJP president Rajnath Singh during his inaugural addresses at the two-day National Executive meet of the part at New Delhi had said: “J&K is a very serious, very sensitive region for us ... If J&K develops because of Article 370, then we have no objection in keeping it.” NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana, who was also present on the occasion, assailed both the BJP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for anti-people activities and said they have no agenda except to malign his party and its leaders. Rana took the BJP head on for its changing stance on the Article 370 and said: “Once its top brass realised that their rhetoric will take them nowhere, they took a u-turn.” “Call it an embarrassment or realisations of facts; the BJP has understood that it cannot exploit the people on this sensitive issue anymore,” Rana said. “For over 65 years they were hoodwinking public opinion on this important provision and dubbing its votaries as anti-national,” he said and asked: “What explanation did BJP leaders have for the changed stance of their party president?” The NC provincial president said his party has been all along opposing any move to weaken the Article 370, despite the “mischievous propaganda” unleashed by the BJP and other like minded organisations.
	ABVP educating students about ‘abuse’ of Art 370, claims leader Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) national president P Murli Manohar has said their organisation has been creating awareness among the student community regarding 'abuse' of Article 370 and other issues that has been challenging the national integration. Addressing the 49th annual conference of the state ABVP yesterday, Manohar said it was the ABVP which had shouldered the responsibility of restoring the dignity and honour of the National Flag by challenging Valley based terrorists. “Being the biggest and vibrant student organisation of the country, the ABVP has been creating awareness among student community on all issues, be it national security, corruption, commercialisation of education or degradation of atmosphere on the campus,” he said. He told the gathering that the ABVP had successfully launched a number of programmes like “Save Campus” to clear the education system. Expressing concern over commercialisation of education, Manohar said the process of commercialisation of education was started in 1990 and today this system had emerged as the biggest problem in the education sector. “Although quantity of educational institutions has increased manifold, quality has been degraded,” he said.
	Kakapora, Wasoora residents hold protest, demand tehsil status Our correspondent Pulwama, January 20 Protests marred life in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district after residents of Wasoora and Kakapora joined the tehsil status row along with Littar today. People of Kakapora blocked the highway and raised anti-administration slogans. The row started after the Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting on January 11. The residents said Kakapora had been a block for 27 years and deserved the tehsil status as it has developed into a commercial hub. “When Awantipora was granted tehsil status, Kakapora had demanded the same. We then waited for the next reorganisation of administrative units,” said a Kakapora resident. “About 40 villages are attached to this block and Kakapora has become a commercial place as business units are coming up here,” said Mashkoor Ahmad, a resident of Kakapora, adding that people have an easy access to the area as it falls on the highway linking Pulwama with Srinagar and Shopian. In the afternoon, residents of Wasoora, a village 10 km from Pulwama, protested in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and blocked the Shopian-Pulwama highway for about an hour. “Wasoora was granted niabat status 45 years ago and it needs to be upgraded. We do not know why the government has been apathetic towards us,” said a resident of Wasoora. Residents of Littar, who had gone on a fast for four days, today organised a rally to demand tehsil status for Littar. Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Manzoor Ahmad lone, while pacifying the protesters told them that the Cabinet Sub-Committee had got the right to decide on the reorganisation of the new administrative units. The Committee is considering the demands of the residents and would take a decision after reviewing the recommendations of the Mushtaq Ganai Committee.
	Jamaat lays claim on house donated by Geelani Srinagar, January 20 A socio-political group today laid its claim over the house and the office building which hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani had donated last week. The top decision making body Markazi Majlis-e-Shura or the Central Advisory Council of the Jamaat-e-Islami during a meeting held here today said the property donated by Geelani, which includes his residence and office at Hyderpora on the city outskirts, was owned by it. Geelani had last week handed over the property to an eight-member registered trust and his party had hailed the decision as a “significant move”. However, Jamaat-e-Islami said the property currently being used by Geelani for residential and official purposes belonged to the group. “The meeting unanimously reaffirmed the decision previously taken by the Jamaat that the said property will remain in the lifelong possession of Geelani,” Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement. It, however, added that the group would be authorised to take any decision about the property after Geelani’s death. Geelani, a former member of the Jamaat-e-Islami, headed the political wing of the group before he formed his own party. Meanwhile, it was decided that a Jamat delegation would meet Geelani and handover Jamaat chief’s letter to him to verify the facts about the donation. — TNS Property row Jamaat-e-Islami said the property currently being used by separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani for residential and official purposes belonged to the group
	House panel says summons against Gen Singh stand Jammu, January 20 National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana today said the summons issued to former Army Chief General (retd) VK Singh by the Privilege Committee of the Legislative Council had not been cancelled and he would have to appear before the Committee on January 22. Rana is also a member of the Privilege Committee. After the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz and some other Congress leaders expressed unhappiness over summoning the former Army Chief to appear before the Committee against a privilege motion pending against him, there were rumours that summons issued to General Singh had been cancelled and he would not have to appear before the Committee. When the Committee met under the chairmanship of MLC Jugal Kishore Sharma today, it was revealed that the summons stood and General Singh would have to appear before it. On January 9, General Singh failed to appear before the Committee. The Committee again issued summons to General Singh through the Director General of Police, Haryana, copies of which were sent to the Assembly Speaker and other officials. — TNS
	CM’s tweet leaves officials confused Tribune news service Srinagar, January 20 A tweet by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday threw officials into a state of confusion as no one exactly knew what and where the reported incident had took place. The tech-savvy Chief Minister who often frequents the micro-blogging site Twitter, on Sunday afternoon posted: “Just heard what is reported to have taken place between an SI (sub inspector) of the traffic police and one of my ministers. Will ascertain details.” “I won’t hesitate to take action and apologise as well, just as soon as I get the facts.” However, no one in the Police Department was able to confirm what and where the incident had took place. “I have received lots of calls about this matter. I checked it with the department but nothing as such has been reported anywhere,” a senior Traffic Department official said. Another official, who mans the traffic police control room, said they checked with their field staff after queries were made by senior officials, however, no such incident was reported from anywhere. “We even checked with the officials in Jammu, but they also have no idea about it,” the official said. A police spokesman here said: “We have no details of any such incident having taken place in the Kashmir region.” Interestingly, a TV channel on Saturday during a feature on the culture of red beacon in India had shown a September 2012 incident involving the then Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control, Taj Mohiuddin. Mohiuddin’s personal security officers had brutally assaulted a traffic policeman on duty for daring to stop the minister’s cavalcade for jumping the signal. The incident took place on September 10, 2012, at the busy Lal Chowk area of Srinagar when sub inspector Mohan Lal stopped Mohiuddin’s cavalcade. However, it was not confirmed whether Omar posted the tweet following the airing of the incident yesterday. What CM tweeted * Just heard what is reported to have taken place between an SI (sub inspector) of the traffic police and one of my ministers. Will ascertain details. I won’t hesitate to take action and apologise as well, just as soon as I get the facts --- Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister What triggered it * A TV channel on Saturday during a feature on the culture of red beacon in India had shown a September 2012 incident involving the then Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control, Taj Mohiuddin. Mohiuddin’s personal security officers had brutally assaulted a traffic policeman on duty for daring to stop the minister’s cavalcade for jumping the signal. However, it was not confirmed whether Omar posted the tweet following the airing of the incident yesterday.
	MP slams proposal to set up new administrative units Pulwama, January 20 Terming the move to reorganise the administrative units as mischief, Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri said, “The proposal has divided the already divided society and spread chaos.” He said the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) instead of solving problems and issues in Kashmir had made them more complicated. “The CSC has not only complicated the already existing problems, but has also spread chaos, which has made many villages to come at loggerheads,” said Ratanpuri. He alleged that it was the worst politics being played by the vested interests. Ratanpuri said reorganisation of the new units should be left to the committee that was created earlier to reorganise the administrative units. “It is beyond comprehension that what was the fun of setting up CSC, as a committee was already there to consider the reorganisation process,” he questioned. — OC
	Politicians must pen down their experiences, says Omar Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Underlining the importance of autobiographies to get a direct narration of life, history, events and other aspects a writer has witnessed in his or her life, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday suggested that all political stalwarts should write their biographies to provide a full account of their viewpoints and the struggle they have faced to achieve their goals in a candid and transparent manner. “This will provide the younger generation an opportunity to know about the life and political works of politicians as also help the writers to clear the misgivings and contradictions if any about their style of political working. They can set the records straight by penning down their autobiographies,” Omar said. The Chief Minister made these suggestions at a function held to release the autobiography of Mir Ghulam Mohammad Poonchi titled “Yadoon Ki Sughat” here this afternoon. Omar referred to “Aatish-e-Chinar”, the autobiography of late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, saying that it had cleared so many aspects and answered so many questions about the political life of Sher-e-Kashmir. Omar appreciated Mir Poonchi for penning down his political track record in the form of autobiography and expressed the hope that Poonchi would write a second volume of the book in due course of time.
	Poor garbage clearance irks residents Our Correspondent Anantnag, January 20 Residents of Anantnag town in south Kashmir are irked by poor garbage clearance from the streets. According to locals, heaps of garbage are left to rot on the streets, posing health problems. Locals allege that the Anantnag Municipal Council has tuned a blind eye towards the problem. "The town has turned into a garbage dumping site. One can see heaps of garbage lying at many places across the town," said Shahid Dar, a resident of Anantnag. Residents alleged that the municipal council does not use the machinery at their disposal to clear the roads of the mess. "The council had acquired some machinery for garbage clearance. We don't understand why the machinery is not being used,"? said Dar. "Besides, Anantnag town and the peripheries do not have a proper garbage dumping site. The garbage, whenever cleared from the streets, is dumped in the immediate peripheries of the town," he added.
	Judicial custody of six students extended Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 20 The anti-corruption court here today extended the judicial custody of six MBBS students till January 27, even as the investigating agency opposed their bail pleas, arguing that they may try to win over the prosecution witnesses if set free. The court, however, reserved its final orders into their bail pleas till January 27, after concluding the arguments. On Saturday, the special judge, anti-corruption (Kashmir), Mohan Lal Manhas had sent six MBBS students and six parents of “beneficiary students” to judicial custody after they were produced in the court by the crime branch, which is investigating the scam into the sale of Common Entrance Test (CET) - 2012 question papers for selection into medical colleges. The court had, however, listed their bail pleas for further consideration on January 27 and asked the crime branch to file its objections. As the matter came up before the anti-corruption court, the Crime Branch vehemently opposed the bail to the students. In his arguments, Chief Prosecution Officer Khalid Muzaffar Shah submitted that the students might try to win over the prosecution witnesses if set large on bail at this stage. He further submitted that the investigation into the matter was still going and the probe agency was also scanning and investigating the credentials of other MBBS students. After hearing both the sides, the special judge anti-corruption reserved his orders into the bail pleas moved by these six MBBS students till January 27. The court also extended the judicial custody of the accused students till January 27. In its chargesheet before Manhas on January 12, the Crime Branch had named 25 persons as accused in the chargesheet. The accused included former head of the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations Mushtaq Ahmad Peer, 12 students who got admission in the MBBS course by fraudulent means in 2012 and nine parents. The charge A Former head of the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations Mushtaq Ahmad Peer, who was arrested on November 23, 2013, has been accused of selling CET papers through his aide Farooq Ahmad Itoo and in turn allegedly received around Rs 60 lakh. Of the 12 students named in the chargesheet, three are stated to be minors and would be presented in a juvenile court. The other accused named in the chargesheet are to be produced before the anti-corruption court by January 28.
	Watergam residents seek tehsil status Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 20 Residents of Watergam area of north Kashmir today held a protest, seeking tehsil status for Watergam. The villagers, who had assembled under the banner of the “Save Rafiabad Movement” (SRM) had assembled at the city centre and threatened to start a massive agitation against the government if they failed to grant the telsil status to Watergam. “The government is ignoring us for the past many years, but now we will not remain silent. We deserve a tehsil status as Watergam is centrally located,” said protester Ghulam Hassan Lone. He said, “We staged a protest in Srinagar to ensure that people at the helm come to know that they want tehsil status for Watergam, Baramulla.” The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
	KU exam evaluation system set for major overhaul Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 20 The examination evaluation system of Kashmir University is all set to see a major overhaul as the current system is not up to the mark. This was stated by Controller of Examinations, KU, Salam Bhat, who laid stress on organising refresher and orientation courses on the theme of devising strategies for examination evaluation in future. Bhat was speaking at the 63rd General Orientation Course and Refresher Course in Computer Applications organised by Academic Staff College (ASC), KU, organised on the university campus today, where he was the chief guest. He said an affective mechanism should be put in place to cater to modern-day challenges of evaluation and examination. While distributing certificates of participation, Bhat said at present more than 2.5 lakh students appear in around 400 exams conducted by the university at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and not more than 30 per cent of the teachers available in the colleges and universities turn up for evaluation. "Therefore, there is a need to devise a methodology and organising a refresher course on evaluation so that we may not face any problem in future," he said. Bhat said, "While evolving a strategy for evaluating lakhs of answer-scripts is an important issue which needs to be addressed, the emerging trend of students and scholars shying away from science subjects is also an important matter which needs attention of the academia." He added that 20 years ago, 60 to 70 per cent students at undergraduate level chose science as their subject, but as per the present statistics available, out of 1,15,000 students enrolled in various colleges of the Valley, only 30 per cent have opted for science. He said both these issues need attention of the academia and Academic Staff College (ASC) was the best platform where teachers could sit together and ponder over these issues. "Whether it is lack of interest among students in science or the system of evaluating lakhs of answer-scripts in future, the solution to both these issues has to come from the teachers who can provide their valuable expertise and suggestions," said Bhat. Responding to the observations made by Bhat, Director, ASC, Farooq Fayaz said the ASC would organise a workshop in February for college administrators in which around 40-45 principals from various degree colleges of the Valley were expected to take part. Fayaz said these issues would be discussed threadbare in the two-day workshop and he was expecting some purposeful interaction during the workshop which might provide some clue towards the resolution of these two emerging issues. Deputy Registrar, teaching wing, KU, MS Sumbli said the Academic Staff Colleges have assumed a significant role all over the country and participation of young teaching faculty members in various orientation and refresher courses organised by such colleges had a direct bearing on their career prospects. Some of the participants of the two courses also shared their experiences on the occasion.
	PDP leader decries police action against protesters Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 20 Senior leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bijbehara MLA Abdul Rehman Veeri has condemned the police action against the demonstrators, in parts of South Kashmir, who were protesting against the prevailing power crisis. In a statement issued here, he said, “It is sheer failure of the present government which is forcing the people to come out on the roads and there is no justification of using brute force against them.” “The Power Development Department is grappling with shortage of funds and now people are forced to collect money and get damaged transformers repaired on their own,” he said. Veeri accused the government of failing to establish transformer banks at all district headquarters, which it had announced with much fanfare. Veeri said the deepening power crisis in the entire Valley was direct result of incompetence and insensitivity of the ruling dispensation, which was not bothered about the people’s issues.
	School organises science exhibition Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 RM Pubic School organised Bal Mela-cum-Science Exhibition on the school premises here. The programme was inaugurated by Swami Hriday Nand Giri, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, and Raman Bhalla, Minister for Horticulture, Floriculture and Housing. The function was commenced with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the dignitaries followed by colourful cultural items presented by the students and staff of the school. In the science exhibition, a total of 15 schools from Jammu city participated wherein the students displayed their innovative models. Students also displayed their craft exhibition. Flower arrangement competition was the main attraction of the programme wherein 20 schools took part. Seventy two students of the school were awarded cheques worth Rs 2 lakh, while 560 students were given scholarships. Later, the dignitaries appreciated the efforts of the school management for the successful conduct of the programme. DIG Shakeel Ahmed Beig and Dr Jitendra Udhampuri, former Director, All India Radio, Jammu, were also present on the occasion.
	Free medical camp held Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 The Bhagya Laxmi Charitable Trust (BLCT) in association with the Assistant District Medical Officer (ADMO), Indian System of Medicine, organised a medical aid camp at Kanji House today. The camp was inaugurated by Pranav Shagotra, vice-president of the Pradesh Youth Congress, in the presence of BLCT volunteers. A team of specialists and staff examined patients. Free medicines were given to all the patients. While highlighting the importance of being health conscious, Shagotra told people to take care of their ailments in time.
	Dogri Sanstha holds musical evening Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 The Dogri Sanstha organised a musical evening wherein songs of Sahitya Akademi Award winner poet Gianeshwar Sharma were presented by local singers. Those who sung the songs were Apoorva Jamwal, Gursharan Kour, Suraj Singh and Shyam Sajan. The musical composition was rendered by veteran composer Shyam Sajan. Saujanya Sharma, Director, Tourism, who presided over the programme, said there was no better way to popularise poetry than putting it across the public, through musical renderings. Earlier, Anjali Sharma, assistant director, Doordarshan, Jammu, who was the guest of honor on the occasion, said literary and cultural programmes concerning Dogri were of high quality and standard. Prof Lalit Magotra, president, Dogri Sanstha, highlighted the importance of series of programmes, which the sanstha had started, based on the poetry of the Dogri writers. He urged persons associated with music industry to bring out quality and tasteful music CDs based on good Dogri poetry.
	Tendulkar to mentor J&K skipper Parvez Rasool The cricketer from Anantnag says it’s a dream come true Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, January 20 Jammu and Kashmir cricket captain Parvez Rasool will be one among 11 emerging cricketers of the country, who will be mentored by Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar, who bid an adieu to the sport in November last year after playing in his 200th Test, would train Rasool and 10 other cricketers as a part of the initiative by a leading sports apparel brand. “There is nothing more a cricketer can ask for than to hone his skills under the able guidance of the world’s best batsman,” an ecstatic Rasool, who played an instrumental role in leading his team to the knock-out stage of the Ranji Trophy championship recently, told The Tribune over phone. “Sachin Tendulkar is the hero of every cricketer. In fact, the young generation has grown up watching the heroics of the iconic cricketer. Not only me but other selected cricketers will also get immensely benefited from this lifetime opportunity,” he said. Unmukt Chand, Vijay Zol, Manan Vohra, Manpreet Juneja, Rush Kalaria, Chirag Khurana, Akshdeep Nath, Vikas Mishra, Sarfaraz Khan and Baba Aparajith are the other cricketers who will be trained by Tendulkar. When asked whether he had earlier met the cricketer, Parvez said: “Yes, I had the privilege of meeting him on a few occasions. But to be mentored by him will definitely be an unforgettable experience.” The 25-year-old cricketer from Bijbehara in Anantang district, who has the distinction of becoming the first cricketer from the state to represent India senior team, had an impressive run in the Ranji Trophy season. The right-handed batsman accumulated 663 runs at a healthy average of over 51 from nine matches during this season of the Ranji Trophy championship. He also hit two centuries and three half centuries, the highest being 103. Besides contributing with the bat, the J&K skipper bagged 27 wickets during the championship. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also tweeted about Rasool and other cricketers being trained by Tendulkar. “Sachin Tendulkar to mentor Parvez Rasool, Unmukt Chand…,” Omar wrote on Twitter.
	Hizb man killed in Anantnag Suhail A Shah Anantnag, January 20 The police today claimed to have killed a Hizbul Mujahideen militant in an encounter in Shempora village of Anantnag district today afternoon. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, south Kashmir, Vijay Kumar identified the militant as Javaid Ahmad, alias Salafi, a resident of Bulbul Nowgam village of Anantnag district. The police said a tip-off was received about Salafi’s presence in a residential house, following which the 9 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army and the special operations group of the police cordoned off the house in the wee hours today. “The militant was asked to surrender. However, he held the owner of the house, Ghulam Nabi Parray, hostage,” the DIG told mediapersons. Kumar said a gunfight ensued after the police secured the release of the hostage. “The encounter lasted several hours,” Kumar said. Sources said security forces blasted the residential house where Salafi was hiding. Soon after the encounter was over, people of the area came out in large numbers to protest against the death of the militant. The sources said attempts made by security forces to retrieve the body of the slain militant from the debris were thwarted by the protesters. The police and the CRPF resorted to lathicharge and tear-smoke shelling to disperse the protesters.
	Butcher, public depot storekeeper arrested Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 20 A storekeeper of a public depot has been arrested for selling supplies on the black market, while a butcher was arrested for overcharging here, the police said today. Nazir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Haft Chinar and storekeeper at the Solina ration depot, was caught red-handed by a police team from the Shergarhi station when he was selling the public supplies on the black market, a police spokesman said. The spokesman added that 130 kg of rice was seized from the spot and a case had been registered. In another incident, a butcher identified as Gulzar Ahmed Nachar was arrested for allegedly selling meat at exorbitant rates at his shop in Maharaja Bazaar here, the spokesman said, adding that a case has been registered against the butcher.
	Khadi board official booked for taking bribe Jammu, January 20 The Vigilance Department today arrested a senior supervisor of the Jammu and Kashmir Khadi Village and Industry Board while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Vigilance, RK Chalotra said a complainant, Praveen Kumar, had informed the department that senior supervisor of the JK Khadi Village and Industry Board Deedar Singh, a resident of Preet Nagar, was asking him for a bribe of Rs 50,000 to sanction a loan. The Vigilance team led by the SSP sent the complainant with a token amount of Rs 5,000 to give it to Deedar Singh. While receiving the bribe, the team raided the Jammu and Kashmir Khadi Village and Industry Board office and arrested Singh. — TNS