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Constituency Development Funds’ utilisation remains dismal in JK
Ruckus in House over de-silting of Ranbir Canal
Police census: 104 militants active in Kashmir |
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Interaction strengthens police-public relations
Pulwama shutdown enters fourth day
‘Kunan Poshpora mass rape was not probed thoroughly’
on the frontline
master plan violations
New admn units to be made functional soon: Omar
Second phase of Pulse Polio campaign begins
No debt trap, fiscal deficit on decline in J&K: Minister
One-way traffic to resume on Srinagar highway from today
Cold wave continues unabated in Valley
State Cabinet took 472 decisions in 2 years: CM
J&K told to complete mid-day meal data entry into MIS portal
Govt schools without toilets, drinking water in Reasi
Govt making efforts to solve unemployment: Sadhotra
Digitisation of ration tickets to be completed soon in Valley
People should come together to curb juvenile crime: IGP
Pahalgam to host 2-day snow festival
Wullar shrinks by 87 sq km in 100 yrs
Complete development works in time, officials told
Bust of Maj Purushottam unveiled
Team formed to nab rumour mongers
Govt flayed for ‘anti-youth’ policies
Santoor maestros enthral audience at Mubarak Mandi complex
College organises lecture on maths
Orientation programme for counsellors held
‘26% women facing infertility in Srinagar’
Three bodies recovered
Udhampur hospital bags Raksha Mantri Trophy
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Constituency Development Funds’ utilisation remains dismal in JK
Jammu, February 23 Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather has utilised minimum funds (17.76%) under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah utilised just 42.37 per cent out of the total of Rs 4.50 crore CDF since 2010. The state government, however, said the funds to the tune of Rs 795.06 crore had been released by legislators and members of Parliament of the state for various kinds of development works in the state during the last three fiscals and current financial year under the CDF. “Against the released funds, an amount of Rs 603.38 crore, which is nearly 76 per cent of the released funds, was utilised for various development works in various constituencies of the state during the period,” it said. This information was provided by the Minister for Planning Ajay Kumar Sadhotra in response to a question of Jammu (West) MLA Chaman Lal Gupta in the Legislative Assembly here today. At present, the MLAs are entitled to Rs 1.5 crore CDF each in five years, which was earlier just Rs 35 lakh. The amount does not lapse. The development works identified by an MLA for funding out of his CDF are executed as per the fund flow approved by the MLA. According to the information furnished by the Planning Minister, the utilisation of funds released by 24 MLAs and MLCs, including the Chief Minister and senior Cabinet ministers, was below 50 per cent. The Finance Minister released an amount of Rs 4.5 crore from 2010-11 to 2013-14, but an amount of Rs 79.90 lakh was utilised, which was lowest in the list of fund utilisation. Similarly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah released an amount of Rs 4.5 crore, but only Rs 1.9 crore was utilised in the period. Another senior Cabinet minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, who is holding the charge of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, released Rs 4.06 crore under the CDF, but an amount of just Rs 1.3 crore was utilised, which was just 33 per cent. Barring a few cases of MLCs where the percentage of funds utilisation was 100 per cent and above, the utilisation of funds released by MLAs and MPs ranged between 40 and 80 per cent. For instance, member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah, who is also a Union minister, released an amount of Rs 10.74 crore in the last four years under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), but the utilisation percentage was just 68 per cent. Similarly, MP Mehboob Beigh released an amount of Rs 12.13 crore under the MPLADS, but the utilisation percentage was 71.38 per cent. To another query, the minister said an amount of Rs 498.33 crore was allocated to the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) under different schemes of the State Plan during the last three financial years. During the current financial year Rs 4.79 crore were released as 50 per cent authorisation for carrying out different works under various schemes in the Jammu municipal limits. An amount of Rs 788.02 crore was allocated under the devolution or grant-in-aid of Centrally sponsored scheme JNNURM during the last three financial years, while Rs 84.58 crore were allocated during the current financial
year to the JMC for carrying out different civic works, he said. The statistics
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Ruckus in House over de-silting of Ranbir Canal Jammu, February 23 The canal is considered the lifeline for irrigation of thousands of hectares in the Jammu region. Soon after the House assembled for the day’s proceedings, BJP legislators, including Sukhnandan Choudhary and Jugal Kishore Sharma, demanded immediate restoration of water supply in the Ranbir Canal and said the government had failed to complete its de-silting even after one and a half month. Joined by JSM MLA Ashwani Kumar and Yashpal Kundal of the JKNPP, the agitating members trooped into the Well of the House, demanding a reply from the government on the issue. They alleged the Ranbir Canal was closed for de-silting on January 25, thus resulting into disruption of water supply for irrigation. Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control, said they were awaiting release of funds from the state Planning Department. “We have written to the Planning Department but are yet to receive the funds. The liabilities of the department have gone up to Rs 10 crore and no contractor is ready to undertake the work. We will start de-silting of the canal immediately after we receive funds for the purpose,” Sharma said. Following the statement of the minister, the legislators started raising slogans against the government and demanded that the de-silting of the canal be undertaken in a time-bound manner immediately. Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra assured the Opposition that funds would be released for the work soon. Unsatisfied with the reply, the protesting legislators walked out from the House. JKNPP member Balwant Singh Mankotia also stormed into the Well of the House and later staged a walkout from the Assembly in protest against “the Centre’s failure to grant a medical college for the Udhampur belt”.
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Police census: 104 militants active in Kashmir
Srinagar, February 23 This confidential data compiled by the police last month also reveals the presence of 59 active cadres of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba across Kashmir, which is almost double the number of indigenous Hizbul Mujahideen militants, whose number as per the census figures is pegged at 30. While there are a total 62 foreign militants active in Kashmir valley at present, out of five top militants operating in different parts of the Valley, four are of local origin. These five top militant commanders have been categorised as ‘A plus plus’, according to the police document. 'A plus plus' category means the most wanted and hardcore militants. These top commanders include Lashkar-e-Toiba’s Abu Qasim, a Pakistani militant, Sajad Ahmad Bhat, hailing from Srinagar, Mohammad Muzzaffar Naikoo of Sopore and Bilal Ahmed Bhat of Pulwama. The Hizbul top man in Kashmir, Qayoom Najar, hails from Sopore. The document, a copy of which has been accessed by The Tribune, shows that majority of the 104 militants are operating in various districts of north Kashmir. The document shows that seven militants of Lashkar are operating in Srinagar district and except one, all are foreigners. “Out of the seven militants operating in Srinagar, two Pakistani militants, Hurera and Babar, are categorised as 'A plus',” the document reveals. Srinagar’s neighbouring district Budgam, which recently witnessed an encounter in which a Hizbul Mujahideen militant from south Kashmir was killed, has no resident militant. Ganderbal district has one active militant, who is said to be a local. According to the report, there are 35 militants active in the frontier Kupwara district, out of which 16 operate in the Handwara area, which is close to the Line of Control. The Sopore area in north Kashmir continues to be the hotbed of militants. According to the report, there are 15 militants of three outfits operating in the Sopore area of Baramulla district. “These militants include Hizbul Mujahideen’s top commander Qayoom Najar. LeT’s another top commander in north Kashmir, Mohammad Muzafar Naikoo, who is also an ‘A plus plus’ militant, also operates from Sopore,” says the document. Once the hotbed of militants, Bandipore district has no resident militant. Baramulla district has only two militants. South Kashmir’s Pulwama district has 29 active militants. This includes LeT’s top most Pakistani commander Abu Qasim and a local commander Bilal Ahmed Bhat. The Qasim module of the LeT has been responsible for many deadly attacks on security personnel since the last year in Srinagar, central Kashmir and south Kashmir. The module is also alleged to be responsible for the attack in Hyderpora on an Army convoy in June last year. The Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit has also its presence in Awantipore. The Jaish-e-Mohammad’s top commander in Kashmir, Adil Pathan, is also based in south Kashmir. The Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit has 15 active militants in the Valley. In Shopian district, there are eight militants and Kulgam has six militants, according to the document. The report revealed that Anantnag had one Hizbul militant, who was arrested recently. Among those named in the list, five have been killed and two, including Hizbul commander Mubarak Ahmed Wani, have been arrested. Vital numbers
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Traffic norms go for a toss
Srinagar, February 23 In places such as Jahangir Chowk, Iqbal Pak and at the heart of the city, people violate traffic rules, creating a chaos. Traffic lights were introduced in Srinagar in recent years with people yet to adhere to them. With traffic jams becoming a major problem in the city mostly, people blame the narrow roads for the chaos. The lights were installed in many parts of the city for commuters’ safety as well as to help vehicles to negotiate the junction on the city roads. However, now with people following their own rules, traffic lights don’t seem to solve the purpose. “Despite installation of lights, why do traffic cops need to wave their hands? It is really frustrating. People don’t cooperate at all,” said one of the traffic cops on duty in Srinagar. A senior traffic official also blamed people’s carelessness and non-cooperation for the mess. “There are two cops deployed at most of these points, but sometimes they move here and there. People themselves don’t follow the rules. The traffic cops have a tough schedule as they have a 14-hour duty everyday unlike other states, were they have only eight-hour schedule. We appeal to the people to adhere to the rules, as it is a sign of disciplined society,” said superintendent, traffic police, city,
Haseeb-ur-Rehman. |
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Interaction strengthens police-public relations
Jammu, February 23 After lighting the traditional lamp, Prasad described the event as a bridge between the police and public, saying that such events provided an opportunity to the people as well as the police to assemble and interact with each other. He appreciated the efforts of the J&K Police for organising such events in a befitting manner since years, which had strengthened the police-public relations at grass-roots level. During the mela, 60 stalls were established by different police units and products of different regions of the state were put up for sale. While talking to mediapersons, the DGP said, “Our aim is to promote academic excellence, augment facilities for education to cater to the needs of wards of police martyrs and to add infrastructure for a wholesome and self-contained education atmosphere with all modern facilities”. Earlier, chairperson, J&K Police Parivar, Kiran Prasad briefed the gathering about the objectives for organising such
melas. |
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Pulwama shutdown enters fourth day
Pulwama, February
23 Residents of the native village of Tauseef Ahmed Dar, the slain militant, said his body was mutilated by forces after the encounter ended. They said they had requested the State Human Rights Commission to hold a probe into the incident. Sporadic clashes were witnessed between the police and stone-throwers at
Prichoo, Muran Chowk and Main Chowk in Meanwhile, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, addressed hundreds of youths on the phone at Prichoo and reiterated his stance on the Kashmir issue. He also paid tributes to the slain militant. “We would not let the blood of martyrs go waste. Our motive is to fight in a holistic manner against the Indian oppression,” Geelani said. Several Hurriyat leaders accompanied by local youths took out a procession towards the slain militant’s home to offer their condolences to the
family. Pulwama town has been tense from the last four days and all government and private offices have remained closed. |
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‘Kunan Poshpora mass rape was not probed thoroughly’
Srinagar, February 23 “The report submitted by me to the then Divisional Commissioner, the state Chief Secretary and the Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police was never made public,” Yasin said during ‘Kashmiri Women’s Resistance Day’, organised by the Hurriyat Conference here. This is for the first time that Yasin has spoken about the incident at a public forum. Over 30 women were allegedly raped by Army personnel in the remote Kunan Poshpora village
of Kupwara on February 21, 1991. “I maintain my position over the issue that a fair and thorough probe into the shameful incident did not take place,” Yasin said. “Since the phone and road connectivity to the remote Kunan Poshpora village was not good, I came to about the incident some five or six days later. It was a chilly winter night, Kupwara and Baramulla towns were embedded in snow, when a chowkidaar (a guard) informed me that many women in a remote village had been raped.” “I took the then Station House Officer, Kupwara, along with me and together we walked through snow on our way to the village. Around 23-24 women came forward to record their statements in presence of a local revenue officer. These statements formed a part of the report that I submitted to my higher ups,” he said Yasin alleged that after he tried to raise the issue with almost everyone in the hierarchy he was transferred to Jammu as Special Officer, Auqaf Trust. “But finding out the truth was a part of my job. I stood up for truth for 20 years. Former chairperson, State Human Rights Commission, as well as the then Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and current chairperson, National Commission for Minorities, Wajahat Habibullah, supported me in my efforts,” he said. The occasion also saw the victims recounting the horror of that fateful night.
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on the frontline
Reining in the fundamentalist radicals in Jammu and Kashmir should be the top priority in the state, especially when the militant ideologues such as Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), are spewing venom against India and calling for more “ fidayeen” to destroy the idea of India. Their tactics is not new. Militant leaders based in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir have never left anyone in doubt what they mean. They are not non-state actors. Otherwise militant ideologues of the ilk of Hafiz Sayeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Masood Azhar, would not have dared to behave the way they have.
These leaders are also aiming at making Jammu and Kashmir a fertile breeding ground for militants. This state is favourite with the militant ideologues because they have sensed that there is a resurgence of militancy despite an obvious decline in militancy. More important than that for them is how they influence the young impressionable minds in the state. And, it is also a fact that militants without guns and grenades are more dangerous. The existing level of violence, which everyone fears, would go up in 2014 after the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in July, is due partly to the fundamentalist teachings. The distorted teachings, group discussions and seminars have become a source of growing intolerance. This virus is spreading fast. It needs to be checked. The radicals are growing because the state has become a safe home for them. The state needs to act, but before doing that, it must analyse what is contributing to this phenomenon. By using “K” word in their discussions, these merchants of death are trying to widen the canvas of their appeal. The Kashmir issue has been used to inspire radicalism. There are many mistakes that the Centre has made. It has added to the feeling of hurt that Kashmiri youth hold against the country. What is needed is not the military action. Instead, India should try and increase its soft power. That, perhaps, is the best way to moderate these radicals. Otherwise, there is a lurking danger that men like Azhar and Hafiz Sayeed would pollute the minds of the people in Kashmir. Their speeches have two objectives: One, they are promising military support to the militants in Kashmir; second, they are promising that “K” issue would be back to the centre-stage of international forums. Whether they are successful, that’s open to question. But they will certainly give a big headache to the government and the peace loving people of the state. The year 1999 has passed, when Masood Azhar, one of the three terrorists released in exchange for passengers and crew of the hijacked IC 814 flight. It was a mistake to release them. Today, it would be a bigger mistake if the Centre fails to make Pakistan act against them. The failure this time would be far more serious than in 1999 because the world is only too small for the fundamentalists. |
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master plan violations
Srinagar, February 23 This was revealed by the government in the “Statement of Objects & Reasons” of the “Civic Laws (Special Provisions) Bill-2014, which was earlier cleared by the Cabinet before being introduced in the Assembly on February 21. “The government will constitute a high-powered committee of experts, including eminent bureaucrats, planners and citizens, to go into the depth of the reasons for unauthorised constructions and for suggesting remedial measures, including devising mechanisms, for the regulation of building activity in these areas,” said the statement, which has been accessed by The Tribune. Saying that the magnitude of unauthorised structures is too huge to be solved by sealing, demolition or forcible action alone, the government has added that all unauthorised constructions cannot be equated. The government has identified over 3,000 unauthorised structures in Srinagar city alone, which have come up in violations of the Srinagar Master Plan-2021, which is currently being revised. “The committee will look into the details of all kinds of violations,” the government said. The Bill puts a moratorium of one year on sealing and demolition of thousands of unauthorised structures and constructions in Srinagar, Jammu and Katra. The Bill not only suspends all notices issued by the local authorities against violators in Srinagar, Jammu and Katra, but also overrules and prevents any penalty, sealing or demolition of illegal structures in these areas till March 31, 2015, despite court or tribunal directives. What the committee will do
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New admn units to be made functional soon: Omar
Jammu, February 23 “The creation of new administrative units in the state has been a historic decision of the coalition government to take the administration to the doorsteps of the people,” Omar said. “It would catapult the all-round development and uplift the socio-economic profile of the people, particularly living in far-flung and remote areas of the state,” Omar added that steps would be taken to make the new units functional as early as possible. “Necessary infrastructure for the newly created administrative units would be created along with arranging funds so that they become functional as soon as possible,” the Chief Minister said while interacting with a deputation from
Pulwama, Rajpora and Shahoora. On the issue of some of the areas that have been left out of the new administrative units list, Omar said: “I have already announced the constitution of an expert committee to look into these demands and finalise the report in this regard within three months.” |
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Second phase of Pulse Polio campaign begins
Srinagar, February 23 The minister was accompanied by the officers of the health department, Kashmir division. In Srinagar district, 1,75,178 children will be immunised under the programme and around 10,85,390 will be administered the vaccine in Kashmir division, as per an official statement. The minister directed the officers concerned to ensure that the maximum number of children of the state should be covered under the programme so that their lives were saved from this fatal disease and other related ailments. He said, “The government has ensured that these drops are administered to the children of the whole state with special emphasis on the rural and far-flung areas.”
Sagar also called for vigorous campaign to create awareness among the masses about the benefits of administering these drops to their children so that more and more people come out to take benefit of the programme launched by the government for the welfare of the people. |
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No debt trap, fiscal deficit on decline in J&K: Minister
Jammu, February 23 Replying to supplementaries in the Assembly today on a question by Sofi Abdul Gaffar regarding the state’s fiscal deficit, the Finance Minister said the fiscal deficit of the state was on a continuous decline. “As against the target of 4.2 per cent, it stood at 3.37 per cent in the last financial year. Similarly, the total outstanding debt as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the state stood at 49.67 per cent, which was well below the ceiling of 53.6 per cent,” Rather said. He said the targets had been prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. Similarly, he said, the state’s total outstanding debit as a percentage of the GSDP had remained within the prescribed limits under the FRBM Act since 2010-11, adding that it was 52.6 per cent against the permissible limit of 56 per cent in 2010-11, 51.84 per cent against the limit of 55.1 per cent in 2011-12 and 49.67 per cent against the limit of 53.6 per cent in 2012-13. The minister said the year-wise figures clearly showed that the state’s debt percentage was within permissible limits and it was “totally incorrect” to say that the state was heading towards a debt trap. Rather said the state had taken measures such as rationalisation of tax structure, introduction of new pension scheme, stipendiary mode of recruitment and VAT reforms to streamline its fiscal management. He said on the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission, the state had passed the FRBM Act in 2006 which was amended in 2009 to incorporate the recommendations made by the 13th Finance Commission. About the steps taken towards fiscal consolidation, the minister said the process of fiscal reforms had been started by the state government by liquidating its structural overdraft liability of Rs 2,965 crore with J&K Bank, as it stood on April 1, 2010, and shifting to arrangements of ways and means with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), by which the state had not only saved approximately Rs 225 crore per year on interest outgo but had also earned approximately Rs 35 crore till now. The minister said the present ways and means system with the RBI had proved to be advantageous to the state government, adding that an outright grant of Rs 1,000 crore had flown to the state government during 2010-11 to liquidate the overdraft with J&K Bank. |
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One-way traffic to resume on Srinagar highway from today
Srinagar, February 23 The normal one-way traffic is likely to resume tomorrow. “Only stranded vehicles were allowed to ply today,” a traffic police official said. Around 3,000 vehicles were left stranded due to snowfall around the Jawahar Tunnel, Patnitop and several other areas of south Kashmir. “The one-way traffic is likely to resume tomorrow subject to improvement in weather conditions,” the official added. Meanwhile, the mercury dipped in most parts of the Valley last night due to rain and snow. The minimum temperature in Srinagar fell to 1.6° C as compared to 3° C recorded the previous night, an official of the Meteorological Department said. The summer capital also recorded 2.7 mm rainfall last night. However, it remained sunny for most part of the day
today. Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 9.9 mm rainfall, while
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, received 28.3 mm rain. The minimum temperature at Pahalgam was registered at -8° C, while mercury settled at a minimum of 0.3° C at and
Qazigund. Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded -7.5° C last night. |
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Cold wave continues unabated in Valley
Srinagar, February 23 Srinagar received 2.7 mm of rainfall during the night and the mercury settled at a low of 1.6 degrees Celsius, over a degree down from the previous night's 3 degrees Celsius, a MeT official said here today. The official said Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir valley - received 28.3 mm rainfall and the temperature there settled at a low of 0.3 degrees
Celsius. Pahalgam resort, which serves as base camp during the annual Amarnath
yatra, recorded 9.9 mm of rainfall and registered a minimum temperature of minus 8 degrees Celsius, over seven degrees down from minus 0.6 degree Celsius the previous night, the official said. He said the night temperature in the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg increased by over a degree to record a low of minus 7.5 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. The resort received snow and rain equivalent to 2.4 mm of rainfall, he
said. Kokernag, in south Kashmir, received 15.3 mm of rainfall during the night, the official said, adding that the mercury in the town settled at a low of minus 2.1 degrees Celsius as against minus 0.2 degrees Celsius the previous night. —
PTI |
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State Cabinet took 472 decisions in 2 years: CM
Jammu, February 23 In a written reply to a question by National Conference MLA Abdul Gani
Malik, Omar, who also holds the charge of the General Administration Department, said: “As many as 35 Cabinet meetings were held in 2012 wherein 228 decisions were taken. Likewise, 36 Cabinet meetings were held in the year 2013 and 264 decisions were taken.” —
TNS
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J&K told to complete mid-day meal data entry into MIS portal
Jammu, February 23 The directions were issued at a recently held meeting of the National Steering-Cum-Monitoring Committee at New Delhi, under the chairmanship of R Bhattacharya, secretary, SE&L. The meeting was held to review the implementation of the scheme and to suggest policy measures for improving the implementation of the scheme. The representatives of J&K informed the meeting that the state had started the initiative with the help of the Municipal Health Department. Sources said the SE&L secretary inquired from the state about the status of testing of food samples by labs. It was informed in the meeting that the Centre had set up an empowered committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of Human Resource Development to review, monitor and enhance the effectiveness of the mid-day meal scheme. The sources said the SE&L secretary informed the state representatives about the major initiatives taken by the government to bring improvement in the scheme. The ministry had urged the state for setting up/strengthening of management structures by the state at various levels with clear roles and responsibilities for strengthening of the scheme. It was also informed in the meeting that the 5th Joint Review Mission had completed visits in 18 states, including J&K. In every state, height and weight records of 500 to 800 children had been collected. |
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Govt schools without toilets, drinking water in Reasi
Katra, February 23 Around 49 per cent of schools in Reasi, particularly in the far-flung areas of the district, don’t have toilet facilities. “Around 49 per cent of government schools do not have toilet facility for staff and students, while 20 per cent lack potable water facility,” a source in the School Education Department told The Tribune. Only 18 per cent of government schools in Reasi have separate toilet facilities for girls, the source said, adding that despite pumping in crores of rupees for the cause no development has been made on this front. Government Middle School, Thakrakot Panassa, which has 48 per cent girl students, has got just one toilet and that too has been kept under lock by the school administration. Students are forced to either urinate in the open or wait for the school to get over. “Our school has got just one toilet but it remains locked for students. It is opened only when some government officials come for inspection,” alleged a Class VIII student of the school. The toilet at the school was constructed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). “Despite several complaints to the school headmaster and teachers about the toilet, no attempts have been made to ensure proper facilities for students,” said another student. Chief Education Officer, Reasi, Ashok Kumar, however, said the situation was much better than other districts. “Situation in our district is better than of other districts. However, we are working to provide toilet and water facility to each of the educational intuitions,” Kumar said. “As far as locking of toilet is concerned, I have no idea of such practise,” he said, adding that the department would soon depute teams, which will visit various schools of the district to take stock of facilities available there. |
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Govt making efforts to solve unemployment: Sadhotra
Jammu, February 23 The minister was speaking after inaugurating a two-day employment fair organised by the district administration in collaboration with the Department of Employment and Career Counselling at Marh. The aim and objective of the fair is to create awareness among the youth of the area about various state and Centrally sponsored employment and other credit-driven schemes. Terming unemployment as a biggest challenge before the government, the minister said the government had launched innovative schemes like Sher-i-Kashmir Employment Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY), UDAAN and Himayat, which would certainly help to provide employment avenues to the youth. The minister exhorted unemployed youth to come forwarded and avail maximum benefits from the schemes being implemented by various departments. |
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Digitisation of ration tickets to be completed soon in Valley
Srinagar, February 23 This was stated by Bashir Ahmad Khan, who recently took over as Director, Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Department. He said the process of digitisation of rations tickets had been completed in districts such as Bandipore, Anantnag and Kupwara and would be completed shortly in other parts, including Srinagar. Khan said the department would intensify market checking to curb the selling of essential items on the black market and hoarding across the Valley. He said the CA&PD enforcement squads would be set up in all districts in this regard. Khan said he would ensure that the process of home delivery of LPG was streamlined across the Valley. He said the department would take adequate steps towards ensuring home delivery in all areas. Khan also chaired his first officers’ meeting here yesterday after taking over as the CA&PD director to ensure the availability of adequate stocks of essentials in the Valley. |
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People should come together to curb juvenile crime: IGP
Srinagar, February 23 “Our society as a whole, especially parents, teachers and religious leaders, need to come together cohesively to contain juvenile delinquencies and police officers should exhibit more sensitiveness while dealing with juveniles,” Mir said at the valedictory function of a one-day workshop on the introduction of new law on juvenile justice at the police headquarters here. The workshop was organised by Non-Governmental Organisation “Voice for Rights”. The IGP said, “The police have an important role in rehabilitating children who are involved in breaking any law and these children need more care and protection. “Besides police, parents also have a role to play in raising their children in a proper way. Parents need to understand the basics of parenting especially with the advent of information technology, particularly social networking sites. Parents have an added responsibility to keep a watch on their wards about the stuff they are exposed to,” the IGP said. The IGP added that the Delhi gangrape shook the nation as well as the perceptions regarding the laws dealing with juvenile delinquents. He further said, “Children below the age of 18 involved in the crime have not developed the mental facility to judge what is right and what is wrong and impressed upon the police officers that while dealing with the juveniles they should always keep in mind that they are not dealing with any criminal and their response should be more sensitive and rational.” Earlier, Deputy Inspector General of Police, central Kashmir, SA Mujtaba said, “We need to lay emphasis on reformation and rehabilitation of the juvenile delinquents so that they don’t grow as adult criminals but as normal persons.” |
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Pahalgam to host 2-day snow festival
Srinagar, February 23 “The idea behind the event is to promote Pahalgam too as a winter tourism destination. During winters, the tourism activity is usually confined to Gulmarg where the tourist footfall has been high and on expected lines. But this time around we are taking winter tourism activities to other places also,” said Tourism Department official Shafi Kakroo. The event will feature a snowball championship, the first of its kind fire dance story by British and Russian artistes, besides exhibitions and performances by local artistes. Also, the night skies in the Valley will be lit up with over 500 sky lanterns. “For the first time in the history of North India a snowball championship will be held as a part of the event. We have invited dancers from the UK and Russia,” said Ahmer Khan, member of LoudBeetle. The Lidder valley in Pahalgam will also host activities such as skiing, sledging and snow sliding. “There is a lot of scope for ski mountaineering in the Lidder valley. Ski mountaineers could go on an exploration trek till Aru village, located 11 km upstream Lidder river,” said Irshad Ahmad, a ski mountaineer. —
TNS
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Wullar shrinks by 87 sq km in 100 yrs
Jammu, February 23 As per data, from 217.58 sq km in 1911 — when the first major survey was conducted by the erstwhile Dogra rulers — the lake area has reduced to 130 sq km in 2011-12, which came to light during a demarcation by the Revenue Department. As per the survey conducted by the state government, the lake has shrunk mainly due to massive encroachment, inflow of untreated sewage, siltation and “ill-planned policies” by the successive governments, despite the fact that lake was recognised as a wetland of national importance in 1986. The state government has submitted in Legislative Assembly that the area of Wullar Lake has shrunk and a Rs 120-crore project was initiated for its conservation in 2010. Minister for Environment and Forests Mian Altaf recently submitted in the Assembly that the lake area, as per survey of 1911 was 217.58 sq km, including 58.37 sq km of associated marshes. “The area got reduced to 176 sq km due to land use change but as per the Revenue Department’s records, the actual area excluding associated marshes is 130 sq km and it has been demarcated in 2011-12 with 1159 boundary pillars by the Wullar Conservation and Management Authority,” Altaf said. He said the Union Ministry of Finance, under the 13th Finance Commission Award, had approved Rs 120 crore for four years from 2010 for preservation, conservation and management of the lake. “The lake acts as a huge absorption basin for the annual floodwaters, which maintains a balance in the hydrographic system of the Valley. However, in recent years, it has become a dumping site for all the filth of its surrounding areas,” said Bushan Parimoo, an environmentalist. The lake with its associated wetlands is an important habitat for migratory water birds within Central Asian Flyway and supports rich biodiversity and is a major fishing resource of the Valley. Officials said it faced environmental threats, including the conversion of large parts of the lake's catchment areas into agriculture land, pollution from fertilisers and animal waste, hunting of waterfowl and migratory birds and weed infestation in the lake itself. |
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Complete development works in time, officials told
Doda, February 23 Khan chaired a review meeting of officials of the Health, Education, Kishtwar Development Authority, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and Roads and Buildings divisions of Kishtwar, Chatroo, Padder and Marwah here today. The District Development Commissioner sought all details regarding physical and financial targets from the officials and inquired from
them about the actual physical achievement on the ground. He told the officials that no compromise would
be made on the quality of work which should become the symbol of development in
the region. District Development Commissioner told the officials to work in coordination to achieve best results. Later, Khan accompanied by various officials inspected all link roads of the town and the periphery areas of Gourin,
Simna, Berabhatta, Hatta and Pochhal. The District Development Commissioner expressed his concern over the poor maintenance of the roads and directed the officials to immediately take up the repair works so that the people do not face
difficulty. |
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Bust of Maj Purushottam unveiled
Srinagar, February 23 “As a recognition of the supreme sacrifice of Major Purushottam and as desired by the media fraternity, the bust of ex-PRO (Defence), Srinagar, was unveiled by General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, along with Sitanshu Kar, Additional Director General (Media and Communication), at a ceremony at the Badami Bagh Cantonment,” said Defence spokesman Lt Col NN Joshi. Purushottam was killed in a fidayeen attack on November 3, 1999, at the Badami Bagh Cantonment. Meanwhile, a drug de-addiction and dog bite treatment centres — first of its kind initiatives under Operation Sadbhavana — were also inaugurated today. “Two drug de-addiction counselling centres and six dog bite treatment centres for the Awaam in Srinagar and neighbouring districts were inaugurated at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar,” the spokesman said. |
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Team formed to nab rumour mongers
Srinagar,
February 23 “The police have taken cognizance of the mischief and started investigations,” he added. —
TNS
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Govt flayed for ‘anti-youth’ policies
Jammu, February 23 Kapoor said the youth of the country who formed more than 60 per cent vote bank were shocked at the “apathetic” attitude of the elected MPs in Parliament. He said each minute of running Parliament during sessions costs the exchequer Rs 2.5
lakh. He said in one year, Parliament runs for 80 days during sessions. “Each day business in both Houses is conducted for around six hours. If we take into account the total annual expenditure on Parliament, each minute of running the House costs Rs 2.5
lakh,” he said. — TNS
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Santoor maestros enthral audience at Mubarak Mandi complex
Jammu, February 23 The concert was held as part of the ongoing 15-day-long ‘SaMaPa Aalap Festival-2014’ being presented by the Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts (SaMaPa) in collaboration with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Department of Tourism, Jammu. The concert at the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex came as a musical treat to the Jammu music connoisseurs with Pandit Sopori joined by his son, the young music maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori, in a rare and unique duet. The programme also featured Sufi renditions by the young Sufi singer Ragini Rainu. The concert was in line of promotion of art and culture and also the heritage monuments of the Jammu region by the Tourism Department, Jammu. Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, was the chief guest on the occasion. Soujanya Sharma, Director, Tourism, Jammu, was also present and welcomed the guest and the artistes. |
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College organises lecture on maths
Jammu, February 23 Dr Chander Shekhar, Head of PG Department of Mathematics, introduced the expert and his advancement in the field of mathematics. He also presented the keynote address. Thereafter, Dr Anita Sudan, Principal of the college, formally welcomed the expert and appreciated his achievements. She also appreciated the attempt of D Chander Shekhar for arranging such lectures. Dr Pavinder Singh began his lecture with the introduction of groups with examples. He used this formula for establishing generalised class equation. He used conjugate group action to prove Cauchy Theorem and Sylow Theorems. He concluded his lecture by explaining structure theorem for finite abelian group. |
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Orientation programme for counsellors held
Jammu, February 23 Around 15 academic counsellors associated with several local learner study centres, including academic counsellors from Ramnagar, Rajouri, Bhaderwah and Samba, participated in the programme. Prof RP Singh, a senior faculty member from the School of Continuing Education, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, was the main resource person. IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof M Aslam also interacted with the participants at the regional centres across the country through tele-conference and provided his valuable guidance to the participants. During the orientation programme, Prof RP Singh held several interactive sessions with the academic counsellors and also discussed with the help of presentations about assessment and evaluation in distance education, particularly IGNOU. Regional Director, KK Bhat, presented the welcome address. |
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‘26% women facing infertility in Srinagar’
Jammu, February 23 The survey said infertility had emerged as a major concern with many young couples grappling with childlessness leading to divorce and high-level of depression in the urban areas of the state. Experts said increasing stress and anxiety, primarily due to the prolonged conflict in Kashmir, had triggered the rise in infertility cases. — TNS
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Three bodies recovered
Srinagar, February 23 The body of a newborn was recovered from the Doodhganga stream near Dampora Chadoora in Budgam district today. The police said they got a call from the locals, who saw the body. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. The police have started investigations. Meanwhile, the police recovered another body near Malkhah, Rainawari, in the old city. The deceased was later identified as Mohammad Abdulla Parimoo, a resident of Mohalla Mumkhan, Rainawari. The police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC to ascertain the cause of the death. Another man’s body was recovered near a hotel on Boulevard Road, Srinagar. The deceased was later identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Hafiz of
Nowhatta, Srinagar.
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Udhampur hospital bags Raksha Mantri Trophy
Udhampur, February 23 The hospital has been rated the second best among all the Command Hospitals, including Air Force and Navy, for its professional excellence, foresight and innovations in patients care, for the year 2013. The coveted trophy was awarded to Maj Gen Bipin Puri, Commandant Command Hospital, in a glittering ceremony held at the South Block, by Minister for Defence AK Antony. The Raksha Mantri Trophy was instituted in 1989 to identify and acknowledge excellence in patient care and hospital management among the Command and equivalent hospitals of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, congratulated Maj Gen Bipin Puri and his team of doctors, nursing officers and staff for the achievement. It is a proud moment for all ranks of the Northern Command, he said. |
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The Legislative Assembly today witnessed noisy scenes after legislators of the BJP, the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and the Jammu State Morcha (JSM) trooped into the Well.
Legislators protest in the Assembly in Jammu on Sunday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
As part of confidence-building measure initiated by the police with the public, a day-long “Police-Public Mela” was
held at the Police Sports Stadium, which was inaugurated by Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad..
Reining in the fundamentalist radicals in Jammu and Kashmir should be the top priority in the state, especially when the militant ideologues such as Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), are spewing venom against India and calling for more “ fidayeen” to destroy the idea of India. Their tactics is not new.
The second round of the pulse polio immunisation programme was inaugurated by Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital,
Rainawari, by administering polio drops to several children today. The minister was accompanied by the officers of the health department, Kashmir division.
Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra said today that the government was making efforts to solve the problem of unemployment in the state for which several employment schemes had been initiated.
A special musical programme was organised at the historic Mubarak Mandi complex with Santoor performance by Pandit Bhajan
Sopori. The concert was held as part of the ongoing 15-day-long ‘SaMaPa Aalap Festival-2014’ being presented by the Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts (SaMaPa).
