The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Kalam asks students to be innovative Former President addresses Children Science Congress at Jammu University Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 Former President and Missile Man of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam today said education should focus on fostering innovation by putting “curiosity, critical thinking, deep understanding and creative brainstorming” at the centre of the curriculum. “In the fast-changing life, everything demands innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. Teachings should be on the concept-based knowledge and resources and deep understanding,” Kalam said at the inaugural address of the Children Science Congress during the 101st Indian Science Congress at the University of Jammu. “Children have hard-wired ability to be creative, imaginative and innovative that often diminishes along the way. These inherent capabilities have to be identified and encouraged to have a new breed of innovative thinkers who are prepared to solve future challenges. Teachers and parents have the potential to create a vibrant young force which will realise our dream of a developed India,” Kalam said. Culture for excellence He urged the students to be innovative and creative in order to inculcate and develop ‘culture for excellence’. “Excellence is not by accident. It is a process, where an individual continuously strives to better oneself. The performance standards are set by yourself, you work on your dreams with focus and are prepared to take calculated risks and you do not get deterred by failures. At all times you are not in competition with anyone else, but your own self. This is the culture of excellence,” Kalam said amid thundering applause from thousands of students who had come from various government and private schools of the region. Vision for India in 2020 In his 10-point visualisation of what type of India young generation would be in by 2020, Kalam said the nation’s rural and urban divide should reduce to a thin line. “There should be an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water. Agriculture, industry and service sectors should work together in symphony and education should not be denied to meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination,” he said. Apart from this, he visualised that the governance should be responsive, transparent and corruption free. “Besides, poverty should be totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children should be absent and none in the society feels alienated. A nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path,” Kalam said. ISCA award for 8 students He gave away the Infosys Foundation- Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) Awards to eight students. He also inaugurated the Children Science Exhibition in which about 200 child scientists from various states displayed their projects. Another attraction of the programme was the address by educationalist and scientist Professor Yash Pal. JU Vice Chancellor Professor Mohan Paul Singh Ishar said Students had great opportunity to have an interaction with Dr Kalam and Professor Yash Pal. Earlier, ISCA general secretary Arun Kumar welcomed the gathering while Professor Pankaj Srivastava, Convener, Children’s Science Congress, outlined the objectives of the event. ISCA general president RC Sobti delivered a formal vote of thanks.
	JKCA honours state team, assures support to budding cricketers Farooq to take up issue of Int’l Cricket Stadium at Jammu with CM Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) president and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah today trashed the rumours that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has put off the proposal for construction of an international-level cricket stadium at Bajalta in the outskirts of the city and said he will take up the matter with the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “I will soon take up the matter with the Chief Minister,” Farooq said during a function held here to felicitate the state Ranji team. The JKCA president, however, admitted that the multi-crore scam that hit the association in March 2012 has badly affected its image and also “jeopardised” the ambitious project. Farooq, though, insisted that the culprits would not be spared. “The guilty will be brought to justice,” he said. The JKCA president, meanwhile, congratulated the Parvez Rasool led team for its performance at the just concluded Ranji Trophy championship. “The team has made the whole state proud,” Farooq said. The J&K cricket team reached the quarterfinal stage of the tournament before being knocked out by Punjab. “When I first watched the performance of the team, it was hard to believe…Later, I got this feeling that our boys have the potential to compete with the best in the business,” he said. “The way our cricketers are performing against top teams, I am hopeful that one day our team will reach the final of the Ranji Trophy.” “Former coach Bishen Singh Bedi has congratulated the team and is interested in coaching our boys again. Mohammad Azharuddin too wants to coach the team. I will bring both the legends together to provide their services to further strengthen the team so that it can achieve greater heights in future,” Farooq added. He also congratulated skipper Parvez Rasool for his selection in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup and assured that the association would leave no stone unturned to provide all necessary facilities to the budding cricketers of the state. Farooq added that the JKCA would try its level best to provide international exposure to state cricketers. “The JKCA will prepare a programme wherein our cricketers would be able to play against international teams like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc… to hone their skills,” he said.
	Omar approves Rs 1,039-crore higher education plan for state Seeks Centre’s assistance under newly launched RUSA Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today approved the ambitious Rs 1,039-crore State Higher Education Plan (SHEP), envisaging establishment of new universities and colleges besides upgrading the existing higher education system in the state during the 12th and 13th Five Year Plan periods. The Chief Minister while chairing the first meeting of the State Higher Education Council here gave his nod to the comprehensive proposal to this effect to be sent to the Union Government seeking assistance under the newly launched Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a final tier of Centrally- sponsored schemes of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The two other schemes implemented with the help of MHRD are Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamaik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). Omar, who is also Chairman of the State Higher Education Council, stressed the need of fast-tracking the finalisation of the scheme at the MHRD level so that its implementation was initiated as early as possible in the state to give new impetus to the higher education and provide ample opportunities to students to receive modern education under modern facilities. The higher education department is projecting the plan for 2014-15 to 2016-17 to the MHRD. “In order to improve the overall quality of educational institutions, ensure academic, examination and governance reforms, RUSA will have a nucleolus role,” Omar said in the meeting. He said the equitable growth of education in all the regions and sub-regions by setting up institutions in un-served and under-served areas and improving adequate opportunity of higher education to socially deprived communities, SCs, STs, OBCs, women and differently abled persons, RUSA would provide necessary edifice and give fillip to the state government’s initiatives in this directions. The Chief Minister said the scheme would also help achieve excellence by way of improving the learning outcomes and employability of the graduates and scaling up research development and innovations. He said the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan would also help to achieve the cherished goal of enhancing gross enrolment ratio in the higher education sector in the state. In a Power Point presentation, the Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Mushtaq Ahmad gave overview of the draft proposal prepared by the Higher Education Department for the implementation of RUSA in the state. Of total Rs 1,039 crore plan, he said the Centre share would be to the tune of Rs 935.10 crore and that of state Rs 103.90 crore. He said the current years plan for RUSA envisages an amount of Rs 296.46 crore of which the Centre share would be Rs 266.81 crore.
	No question of supporting Modi, says Farooq ‘Third Front to emerge after Lok Sabha elections’ Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 Reiterating the party’s stand, National Conference patron and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah has said there is no question of joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Speaking on the sidelines of a function of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) here today, Abdullah also refuted the claims that he had softened his stand on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. He said, “The National Conference is not going to join the NDA. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made it very clear that we will not become a part of the NDA. Therefore, there is no question of supporting Modi.” “It is for the people of India to decide in the upcoming elections whether they want a secular or a communal government,” stated Abdullah. He further claimed that the Third Front would emerge after the Lok Sabha elections.
	Student’s death: District admn seals 15 coaching centres Bismah Malik/Amin Masoodi Srinagar, February 4 A team of district administration officials, led by Chief Education Officer Rauf Ahmad Shammiri, today sealed 15 coaching centres in Baramulla town following the death of an undergraduate student in the town yesterday. Irshad Ahmad Ganai, an undergraduate student, was stabbed to death by his tuition mate Irfan Farooq Bhat outside a coaching centre near Kariappa Park, Baramulla. Taking note of the incident, Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja yesterday directed the officials to initiate a crackdown on the coaching centres in Baramulla town. “Today, the district administration officials accompanied by the police raided coaching centres, including the School of Commerce and Economics, Brook Heaven Coaching Centre, Educare Coaching Institute, Ecoclub Coaching Institute,” said an official in the DC Office, Baramulla. Criticising the crackdown on tuition centres, the Coaching Centres Association, (CCA) Kashmir, said the authorities were trying to target these institutions to avoid the actual problem of maintaining law and order in the town. “Coaching centres’ owners cannot be blamed for anything happening around the vicinity of their institutions. We have raised the security issue with the Director, School Education, who assured us a tie-up with the police for providing security to students. We had even suggested arranging private security but the idea was shelved by the authorities. If the state government continues to harass us, we will launch an agitation,” said GN Var, chairman of the CCA, Kashmir. The incident also sparked off unrest in the area with the family of the deceased blaming the doctors at the District Hospital, Baramulla, for delaying treatment. Sources said Irshad’s closeness with a girl, who was their classmate, did not go well with Irfan who allegedly stabbed him outside the coaching centre. The police have arrested Irfan and recovered the weapon used by him, a police official said. Meanwhile, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz expressed condolences to Irshad's family and demanded an inquiry into the matter.
	Wet weather to continue till Feb 7 Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 4 Wet weather conditions in Kashmir valley are likely to prevail till February 7 even as several places in the plains, including Srinagar, are expected to receive showers over the next 24 hours. Rains lashed Srinagar on Monday, however, the weather improved Tuesday evening. Officials at the MeT Department in Srinagar said the wet conditions in Kashmir valley would continue till February 7. The weather would remain like this till February 7. There would be light to moderate snowfall during this period, Sonam Lotus, director, MeT office, said. He said reports of fresh snowfall were also received from several areas, including Gulmarg, Kupwara, Machil Sector, Keran, Gurez, Pahalgam, Banihal, Drass and Kargil. Sonam said rainfall was also expected in the plains of Kashmir, including Srinagar, over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, traffic resumed on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today, which was suspended on Monday afternoon following fresh snowfall on both sides of the Jawahar tunnel. Today one-way traffic was resumed and vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar were allowed to ply, officials at the Traffic Control Room in Srinagar said. Avalanche warning issued Meanwhile, authorities in Kashmir today issued a high danger avalanche warning in several areas. The warning was issued here today by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE)) through the State Disaster Management Authority for the higher reaches of Chowkibal, Nawgam, Tangdhar, Machil and Gurez areas in north Kashmir. “There is also a medium danger avalanche warning for Banihal, Khilanmarg, Sonamarg, Zojila, Furkiyan, Drass and Kargil,” the statement added. People living in these snow-bound areas have been urged to exercise extreme caution, especially areas where high danger avalanche warning has been issued.
	2-day book exhibition in Srinagar begins Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 4 Mir Tariq Ali, Director, School Education, Kashmir, inaugurated a two-day book exhibition at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibagh, Srinagar. Publishers from the state and outside are participating in the exhibition. Ali told experts to recommend only those books for purchase which would be beneficial for the students. He said full transparency and professional integrity would be maintained in the purchase of books for the department. He said a systematic procedure had been put in place for the purpose where subject expert committee would select books for purchase. Later, an assessment committee comprising senior experts would assess the worth and usefulness of the books, he said. A final committee of senior officials would approve the books which would also ensure delivery of required books, he added. The Director, School Education, was accompanied by senior officials of the department.
	Basant Panchami celebrated Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 Basant Panchami, a festival celebrating the arrival of spring season in North India, was celebrated across Jammu. Special prayers were organised in temples. Several educational institutions and social organisations organised cultural programmes to mark the day seeking prosperity and peace from Goddess Saraswati. In rural areas of Jammu, farmers celebrated it for the ripening of mustard crop. Young girls wore bright yellow dresses and participated in the festivities. The yellow colour holds a special meaning for this celebration as it signifies the radiance of Sun and good luck. Students of Lawrence Public School, Panjtirhi and Sidhra branches, celebrated the day. Children of the pre-primary wing, dressed in yellow clothes, offered yellow colour flowers to the Goddess Saraswati. The whole school assembled together to pray and attain blessings from Goddess Saraswati for gaining knowledge. Students who spoke on the significance of Basant Panchami included Ansh Bhan, Shikha Baru, Mitali Pandita and Manvi Baru. Simran Verma, Monika Thapa, Vaishali Sharma and Aditi Athmia recited poems. Teachers, including Rajni Dutta, Kinnery, Saloni Padha and Rakhi Chauhan, informed students that Basant Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright half of the Indian month of Magh.
	PHE Dept workers demand regularisation, go on strike Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 Nearly 13,000 daily wagers of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department working in the Jammu region have suspended their work demanding regularisation of their services in the department and payment of pending wages of 22 months. A group of workers today sat on a hunger strike outside the head office of the department alleging that they are being treated like bonded labourers by the state government. Under the banner of the Public Health Engineering Welfare Association (PHEWA), the workers held a demonstration in front of the head office of the department and demanded the release of pending wages, terming the government attitude as discriminatory. Addressing the workers, provincial president of the PHEWA Bakshi Singh alleged that officials concerned were fooling them and had adopted delaying tactics to deny them their rights. Bakshi Singh alleged that in February, 2011, the state government had issued a notice (circular number 4) according to which it had agreed to pay uniform wage of Rs 125 per day to all the daily wagers. “So far the government has failed to come up with a mechanism to pay the wages of these workers, who are the backbone of the department and keep the water supply functional,” he alleged. The protesters included consolidated paid wagers (CP workers), need base workers and daily rated workers. At present daily wagers are being given Rs 125 per day. General secretary of the PHE Employees United Front Subash Verma alleged that the government's attitude towards them was totally apathetic. “Most of the workers are on the verge of starvation and are doing their work as they have no other option. Think how does it feel, every month we wait for our salary and this has been going on for the last six months,” Verma said. Those who sat on the hunger strike included Vishvnath Dubey, Onkar Singh, Puran Chand, Parshotam Kumar, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shamas Din and Sat Paul Singh.
	Govt college celebrates Women’s Day Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 The Women Studies Centre (WSC) of Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, celebrated Women's Day. Prof Savita Bakshi, Special Secretary, J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL), was the chief guest, whereas Dr Kiran Bakshi, Principal, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, presided over the function. The function began with the lighting of lamp and followed by "Sarswati Vandana". Dr Anjali Bhat, Director, Women Studies Centre, presented the welcome address and talked about the new initiatives taken by the WSC to improve the status of girl students. Dr Ashu Vashist read the detailed report of the new project undertaken by the WSC and the various landmarks achieved by it right from its inception to the present time. Various culture items, including Nukkad Natak, dance, poetry recitation and songs, all focusing on women issues and problems faced by women in the patriarchal society, were presented. The programme were conducted by Shran and Shriya of BSc-III. It ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Neelima Gupta.
	Amarnath pilgrims to get insurance cover Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) today announced that all pilgrims who possess valid permits for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra would be given an insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh against accidental death within the state during the entire period of pilgrimage. The decision followed the instructions of Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the SASB. Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the insurance cover would be available to all registered pilgrims for the period commencing one week ahead of the pilgrimage and one week after its conclusion. This year, the 44-day Amarnath yatra would begin from June 28 and conclude on Raksha Bandhan on August 10. The registration process would begin from March 1. He said the insurance would cover any accidental death which takes place anywhere in the state while travelling to the yatra base camps or while moving on the tracks to the shrine. He has appealed to pilgrims to obtain valid registration after securing a Compulsory Health Certificate. “It is in the interest of all pilgrims to undergo a proper medical check-up before registering themselves, for which proper arrangements have been made by the shrine board. The possession of a valid yatra permit would enable the pilgrims to be covered by accidental insurance,” the CEO said.
	Talks fail to end deadlock over cross-LoC trade Pakistan remains adamant on release of arrested truck driver Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 4 A day after the cross-LoC bus service resumed between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after a two-week break, Indian and Pakistani officials failed to break the deadlock over the stalled trade and release of 76 drivers, who are held up on both sides of the border. The officials held a meeting at the Kaman Post on the Line of Control in Uri sector, 125 km from here, today. However, Pakistani officials remained adamant on the release of driver Mohammad Shafiq Awan of Muzaffarabad, who is in judicial custody. “The talks were held in a cordial manner, but they (Pakistani officials) remained adamant on the release of the driver,” said Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja, who led the talks from the Indian side. Sources, privy to the meeting, said Pakistani officials pleaded that the driver was innocent and should be released so that the standoff could end soon. The Pakistani officials were told that the driver was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and he had to face the law of the land. “Besides, no decision was taken on the 76 truck drivers stranded on either side, which include 48 at Salamabad in Uri and 27 in PoK,” the sources said. Besides Khwaja, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Uri, Abdul Aziz Sheikh, Custodian of the cross-LoC trade at Salamabad Showkat Ahmad Rather and Uri Station House Officer (SHO) Mohammad Abdullah attended the meeting from the Indian side. The Pakistani side was represented by the Director General trans-LoC trade, Brigadier Mohammad Ismail Khan (retired). This was the fourth meeting at the Kaman post between Indian and Pakistani officials since January 17. Indian officials handed over the forensic report of the seized drugs and a digital copy of the FIR to Pakistan. The cross-LoC trade and travel were suspended after the recovery of brown sugar worth over Rs 100 crore in Uri on January 17. However, the cross-LoC bus service resumed from Uri in Kashmir and Chakan-da-Bagh at Poonch in Jammu yesterday.
	Five nomads injured in leopard attack Our Correspondent Doda, February 4 Five nomads were critically injured in a leopard attacked at Bongwa area of Kishtwar district today afternoon. The incident took place when the leopard attacked a sheep shed and the nomads tried to rescue the sheep. The victims raised the alarm, following which locals rushed to the spot and rescued them from the wild animal. According to sources, the two, who were critically injured, were referred to the Doda district hospital, while others were taken to local hospitals. The injured have been identified as Mohammed Hanif, Mir Mohammed, Reham Ali, Roshan Din and Alaf Din. Earlier, a minor boy was attacked by two leopards in Badherwah area of Doda district on January 16, but the officials concerned seem to be sleeping over people’s security.
	NC decision on admn units with eye on elections: PDP Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 4 The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday said the creation of new administrative units in the state was done without any assessment and its “sole objective was to gain votes” in the upcoming elections. “The whole exercise is purely vote bank politics and nothing more than that,” said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti while addressing a press conference in Srinagar. She said protests were being held across the Valley as the decision of administrative units was purely taken on political grounds. “Given the topography of the state, new units are always required. But the way this government took a decision on new administrative units portends a dangerous situation,” Mehbooba said. The PDP president said committees headed by former chief secretary S S Biloeria and former commissioner secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Ganai had a mandate to create new administrative units in the state. “Both these committee’s had fixed a criteria. But this government has randomly without following the criteria framed by these two commissions granted new administrative units. The National Conference has done this purely to meet its interests,” said the PDP president. “The number of units has been extended by the government from 222, which was recommended by the two commissions, to 700,” he added. She demanded the government should increase the administrative units by including all the areas which deserve the new units of governance. Meanwhile, convener of the Peoples United Front (PUF) and Communist leader M Y Tarigami has said the government’s decision on new administrative units has been taken more for electoral gains than for streamlining the administration and harmonious development. “The decision is not only devoid of scientific assessment but has grossly neglected some places,” Tarigami said in a statement. The decision has created dissatisfaction and acrimony among people who feel that their areas have been ignored, the CPM state secretary said. No tie-up with BJP: Mehbooba Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the PDP would not have an alliance with the BJP. “We will have no alliance with the BJP. But, we will support any party which works towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue,” she said, adding that the PDP was able to persuade the BJP-led Central government into adopting major confidence-building measures on Kashmir. Jandrah residents demand sub-division status Jammu: Miffed at the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s decision to exclude their area from the list of new administrative units, the Jandrah residents along with neighbouring villagers continued their protest on Tuesday and blocked the Kishanpure-Jandrah road. The agitated villagers also threatened to disrupt the Jammu-Srinagar highway if the government failed to fulfill their “genuine demands”. They demanded sub-divisional status for the area to ensure its development. — TNS Protests in Pulwama, Shopian Pulwama: Protests continued in different parts of Pulwama and Shopian districts on Tuesday over the creation of new administrative units with people demanding inclusion of their respective villages in the list. Rahmoo residents blocked the Srinagar-Pakharpora road for the second consecutive day and demanded block status for the village. The villagers later marched towards the main town and staged a protest demonstration in front of the DC office at Pulwama. — OC
	Budget on February 10 Jammu, February 4 The state Cabinet today approved the Budget, which will be presented by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature on February 10. The Cabinet approved the Budget without any changes at a two-hour meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the civil secretariat in Jammu today. — TNS
	Nirwan Divas of Sant Kabir on Feb 14 Jammu, February 4 Nirwan Divas of Sant Kabir will be celebrated on February 14 across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir. This was disclosed by the Shri Sad Guru Kabir Sabha during a meeting of its senior members on Monday. It was also decided that this year the state unit of the sabha will celebrate the event at Chak Avtara village in Bishnah and also start the construction of a new Kabir Bhawan. — TNS
	J&K Police Band leaves for Guwahati today 14th All-India Police Band Competition to be held from Feb 10 to 15 Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 A 36-member Jammu and Kashmir Police Band is all set to participate in the 14th All-India Police Band Competition going to be held at Guwahati, Assam, from February 10 to 15. The Jammu and Kashmir Police Band, which has won a gold and two bronze medals in this competition in previous years, is aiming to get a gold medal this year. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mushtaq Ahmed, band master, who will lead the 36-member team in the competition, said, “This is for the 14th time that we are participating in this competition. We have won medals also, but for the last few years we didn’t get any medal.” “This time our performance is up to the mark and I am sure we can get another gold medal this year,” he said with confidence. The band will leave for Guwahati on Wednesday from Jammu. The J&K Police has won a gold medal in 2002 and later bronze medals in 2003 and 2006. The police of all states, CRPF, CISF and ITBP participate in the five-day-long competition.
	Religious bodies oppose single mgmt for all shrines Tribune News Service Jammu, February 4 Two major religious organisations managing various temples in the Kashmir valley have expressed their apprehensions that the passage of much-debated Temples' Bill will divide Hindus in the state. Though the Kashmiri Hindus Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation) Bill-2009 is still pending before the Select Committee of Legislative Assembly, the Sadhu Dharam Sathan Suraksha Samiti and the Shri Chander Chinar Bada Akhara Udasin Trust have opposed its clause of bringing all shrines under a single management body. They claim that only those shrines need protection and management which are not run by any administrative bodies and have been encroached by land mafias since the eruption of insurgency in the Kashmir valley. “Shrines run by our trust should be excluded from the Bill as we are running them as per the rules for several decades. If there is any dispute, the legal doors are open. Our trust has a pan-India character and has been managing the properties in Kashmir even during militancy,” says the memorandum submitted to the Law Minister by the Udasin Trust. The Bill was first introduced in 2009 and since then it is being deferred. In April this year, it was again placed before the Assembly but opposition from some MLAs forced the Speaker to refer it to the Select Committee. “If a single management body is constituted, it will only divide Hindus in the state as temples are the properties of whole Hindu Samaj and they cannot be divided on the basis of region or area. We want that religious places already being run by bodies should not come under purview of the Bill,” said Mahant Subash Shah, working president, Sadhu Dharamsthaan Surakshi Samiti.
	Badal assures ‘speedy’ probe into student’s death Our correspondent Doda, February 4 Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal has assured Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad of a “fair and speedy probe” into the death of Khalid Mintoo, who died under “mysterious circumstances” in Hoshiarpur on January 19. In his reply to Azad on January 27, the Punjab CM stated: “I assure you that the probe shall be fair and justice shall be done.” Azad, who is a native of Doda district, had earlier written to Badal seeking a fair and speedy probe into the death of Khalid. “I have directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, to examine the matter at the earliest,” the Punjab CM wrote in his reply. The 23-year-old from Doda was admitted to District Hospital, Hoshiarpur, in a critical condition on January 19 and died within half an hour. The preliminary post-mortem report had suggested drug overdose as the reason behind Khalid’s death. Khalid was pursuing engineering at a Hoshiarpur college.
	Former PU VC Bambah stable Tribune news Service Jammu, February 4 The condition of renowned mathematician and former Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Dr Ram Prakash Bambah, who was admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) yesterday after he complained of dysentery, is stated to be stable. “His condition is stable. But he is still in the Critical Care Unit and we will review his health tomorrow morning,” GMCH Medical Superintendent Dr Ravinder Rattan Paul told The Tribune. Dr Bambah was felicitated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his contribution in the field of science during the inaugural function of the 101st Indian Science Congress at the University of Jammu last morning. Meanwhile, doctors attending Dr Bambah said the renowned mathematician was also a heart patient and that is why he was kept under observation.
	Fire damages three houses in Baramulla Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 4 Three houses were damaged in a fire in Baramulla last evening. The police said fire broke out in Hundi-Nowshehra village in the jurisdiction of Boniyar police station, Baramulla. It resulted in complete damage to three residential houses belonging to Mushtaq Ahmad Magrey, Sharifa Begum and Pervaiz Ahmad Magrey, the police said. It was brought under control with the help of fire tenders and the police, a police spokesperson said.
	Drug peddler arrested Srinagar, February 4 The police have arrested an alleged drug peddler following recovery of charas from his possession in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. "During naka checking last evening, the police recovered about 700 gram of charas from a person near Zangam, Baramulla," a police spokesman said today. He said acting on specific information, the police established a naka on the National Highway near Zangam. "During the checking, the police party intercepted a person, Abdul Rehman Bhat, and recovered 700 gram of charas from his possession," the spokesman said. He said a case under Section 8/20 of the NDPS Act was registered in this regard. — PTI