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CBSE panel moots CCTVs in schools
Food Safety Act defaulters fined
Rs 12,000
Devotees take out procession on eve of Mahashivratri
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JAMMU & KASHMIR ASSEMBLY SESSION
CITU rally against govt’s ‘anti-worker’ policies
PDP stages dharna over militants’ killing
After 40 days, cross-LoC trade resumes in Kashmir
BJP walks out as Private Member’s Bill opposed
23 major projects in state incomplete
MLC says cops fear militant attacks in Pulwama, stay indoors
Amarnath yatra: Online booking of helicopter tickets to start on March 17
Three-day Shiv Khori mela begins
Farm varsity VC calls on Governor
Leh village delegation calls on Guv
Cash-starved state spent
Rs 6.5 cr on re-employed govt officials
Guv, CM greet residents on Mahashivratri
Discrepancies in ReT teachers’ lists: Education official suspended
Army organises mock fire drill
An Army man explains the working of fire extinguishers during a mock drill on disaster management in Doda on Wednesday.
A Tribune photograph
Separatists question veracity of Lolab encounter
Mahashivratri festivities begin in Valley
Techies on a mission to ‘Connect Kashmir’
Posts of health officer lie vacant at KU
Food Safety: MC extends jurisdiction
Symposium on child labour, national integration
Dental camp at Bari Brahmana
Sports meet concludes
State judokas win five medals in nationals
Ludhiana man found dead in Pahalgam
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CBSE panel moots CCTVs in schools
Jammu, February 26 KCS Mehta, principal, Army Public School (APS), Akhnoor, and president of the JSSC, told The Tribune that besides raising academic standards, the accreditation scheme had put a major thrust on safety and security of students on the school premises. “Though a few schools have installed CCTVs on their premises, as per the online accreditation guidelines it is must for every school to ensure it. Installation of CCTVs at important points will help the school management to keep a check on suspicious activities which pose a threat to the security of both schools and students,” he added. “Apart from installation of CCTVs, the school management has been asked to ensure provision of two separate gates i.e. one for entry and another for exit,” he said. “In order to prevent unfortunate incidents of accidents, special cameras will also be installed in school buses. The driver must have a driving licence and if it is found that the school management did not take notice of it, strict action will be taken,” the JSSC president said. “Accreditation is mandatory for schools because it will guarantee a 'permanently affiliated' status for schools and will increase transparency by making schools’ infrastructure, staff and other details public. Further, the accreditation will help schools identify their strengths and weakness by comparing themselves with other schools,” Mehta added. Claiming that the number of CBSE affiliated schools in Kashmir is less, Mehta said Army Public Schools had applied first for the mandatory online accreditation. “There are more than 40 CBSE affiliated schools in the state which have most of the facilities as per the new directions to seek the accreditation, but still we have to make sure that our schools should not lag behind other institutions outside the state in terms of providing overall infrastructure to our students,” Mehta maintained.
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Food Safety Act defaulters fined
Rs 12,000
Jammu, February 26 Led by Health Officer Dr Mohammad Saleem Khan, a team of municipal veterinary officer, food safety officers and other field staff visited Janipur, Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Roop Nagar, Durga Nagar, Bantalab, Muthi, Talab Tillo, Vikram Chowk, New Plot and Shiv Nagar and inspected shops and eateries. A number of food establishments, including sweet shops, meat shops, fish shops, provisional stores and food stalls, were checked. A compounding fee of Rs 12,600 was also realised from defaulters. Dr Khan said shopkeepers dealing with food items were warned and directed to ensure supply of good quality of food to people.
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Devotees take out procession on eve of Mahashivratri
Jammu, February 26 Those who were present during the function included Mahant 108 Rishivan Maharaj, Sanjay Gupta, Dharamarth Trust president, Narinder Singh Jamwal, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Ajit Kumar Sahu, SSP, Jammu, Atul Goel.
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JAMMU & KASHMIR ASSEMBLY SESSION Jammu, February 26 “The government has decided that the Chief Minister and Cabinet ministers will use red beacon on their official vehicles. Ministers of State, Chief Secretary, Advocate General and the DGP will not be authorised to use red beacons,” Mir Saifullah, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, told the Assembly today. He said the state government would strictly follow the Supreme Court’s directive on the use of red lights with flasher on the official vehicles of VIPs. Saifullah made the statement after some legislators from the Opposition benches asked the government to end the ‘red beacon culture’ in Jammu and Kashmir. Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, CPM MLA from the Kulgam Assembly segment, hit out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his comments on micro-blogging networking site Twitter where the latter had described the demand of legislators for red beacons as “tragic and laughable”. “I condemn the statement of the Chief Minister as there was nothing laughable in the MLAs concern over the Cabinet decision on the use of red beacons. The use of beacon lights by government functionaries, excluding MLAs, was the concern of the House and the House’s concern cannot be laughable,” he said and clarified that they had not demanded red beacons on their vehicles but raised the issue to end the VIP culture in the state. He was seconded by Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party MLA Harsh Dev Singh, who said: “We have not demanded beacon lights but our concern
was proper implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling.” He asked, “Chief Secretary, Advocate General and the DGP were not constitutional posts. How could they use red beacon on their vehicle?” On February 24, the Cabinet had allowed the use of red beacons on the official vehicles of the three dignitaries but did not authorise the legislators to use it. The legislators cut across the party lines had yesterday created ruckus in the House to protest the decision. The legislators had argued that they should be allowed red beacons as they constitutionally enjoyed a higher status than the three dignitaries.
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CITU rally against govt’s ‘anti-worker’ policies
Jammu February 26 The Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (J&K), ASHA Workers Union, Jammu, ASHA workers Union, Kashmir, Mid-Day-Meal Workers Union, Railway Loading & Unloading Workers Union, Kashmir Constructional Workers Union, Jammu National Highway Workers Union, Construction of Tunnel and Four Lane Road Workers Union, Chenani, Nirman Mazdoor Union, Jammu and Kathua, Industrial Estate Workers Union, Coal Khan Mazdoor Union, Rhedi and Phedi Workers Union, Bhatha Mazdoor Union and Hindustan Coca Cola Workers Union participated in the demonstration. Holding red flags, banners and placards and raising slogans in support of their demands and against “anti-working class policies” of the government, the rally passed through the bazaars of Dogra Chowk, Jewel Chowk, Gumat Bazaar, City Chowk, Raghunath Bazaar and culminated in front of the state Assembly. While addressing the rally, MY Tarigami, state president, CITU, expressed concern over the plight of the working class people who have been adversely hit by sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities. “Neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the Central government have unleashed havoc for workforce, especially those working in organised sector,” he said. |
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JAMMU & KASHMIR ASSEMBLY SESSION
Jammu, February 26 Legislators of the main Opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), staged a dharna inside the well and walkout from the House in protest against the alleged failure of the state government to handle the situation effectively. As soon as the House assembled for the day's proceedings, PDP members and the Independent MLA from Langate Rashid Ahmed trooped into the well and started raising anti-government slogans, demanding a suitable reply from the government over the situation in the Lolab Valley. They said the state government imposed curfew in the area and the people had been subjected to severe hardships. "The government has unleashed terror on the people who had gone to the local police station to know the identity of those killed in the firing by security forces. It is due to mishandling by the local police officers and administration that the situation has gone from bad to worse," PDP MLA Abdul Haq Khan said while seeking the government's response on the matter. He was joined by other MLAs of his party and Independent MLA from Langate, who trooped into the well and staged a dharna there. The Speaker, Mubarak Gul, directed Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo to inform the House about the prevailing situation in the area. Kitchloo said a large number of people had yesterday gathered outside the police station and some miscreants resorted to stone throwing. "People had set a security bunker afire and damaged several police vehicles, following which the police used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters," the minister said, adding that no person was injured in the administration's action, but at least 16 policemen were injured in stone throwing. Rejecting the PDP legislators' claims that curfew was imposed in the area, Kitchloo said the administration has imposed restriction under Section 144 of the CrPC to bring the situation under control. Dissatisfied with the minister's reply, the PDP legislators staged a walkout from the House. Later, Abdul Haq Khan accused the government of failing to handle the situation effectively. "Locals wanted to known who were the people killed in the encounter with security forces and had gone to a nearby police station for this purpose, but the police used force resulting in the prevailing situation in the area," he said. House adjourned due to lack of quorum As grants of all departments have been passed, members have started losing interest in the functioning of the Legislative Assembly. On Wednesday, the Legislative Assembly was adjourned due to lack of quorum. Congress legislator Mohammad Sharief Niaz, who was in the chair, adjourned the House at 11.46 am and the functioning of the Legislative Assembly was resumed at 12.04 when the ruling coalition managed to convince members to come inside the House |
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After 40 days, cross-LoC trade resumes in Kashmir
Srinagar, February 26 Four trucks, loaded with apples, almonds, spices, miswak and embroidery items, were the first to enter Kashmir from PoK through the Aman Setu (peace bridge) connecting the two sides in Uri Sector, 125 km from here. Later, 22 trucks from Kashmir, loaded with pineapple, banana and spices, crossed border and entered PoK. The crossing of border by trucks began at 11.30 am and it was completed in one hour. "We are happy that the stalled trade has finally resumed on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route," said general secretary of the Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Union (SCTU) Hilal Turkey. "We had to do a lot of convincing to the drivers that everything has been worked out and there will be no problem," he said. Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Farooq Lone said the trade went smoothly. "There was no hassle on the first day after the resumption of the trade. The cross-LoC barter trade will be held till Friday this week and from next week the trade will be held on four days from Tuesday to Friday as has been the routine before the standoff," he added. Meanwhile, there was a minor hitch in the trade. The 22 trucks, which crossed from the Kashmir side into PoK, were not unloaded at Chakoti Trade Centre. Indian traders said the PoK authorities stressed that the goods from Kashmir be first assembled and later checked, to which PoK traders objected, fearing damage to the goods. The PoK authorities asked the truckers to return to Salamabad Trade Centre at Uri. |
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BJP walks out as Private Member’s Bill opposed
Jammu, February 26 It all happened when Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah opposed the introduction of the Bill by BJP legislator Jugal Kishore Sharma who sought five out of total 24 vacant seats in the Assembly for people from PoK. Saifullah said it was not practically and legally possible to allot five seats to refugees from PoK, residing in Jammu
and Kashmir, as the reservation was done on the basis of the area and population. “The BJP should make it clear whether it has changed its stand on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Whether the party wants to give PoK, which according to it is a part of Jammu and Kashmir, to Pakistan. The party should come out clear on this,” the minister countered the BJP legislator after the latter made the demand. The Bill was rejected with a voice vote in the House. Agitated over the minister’s remarks and rejection of his Bill, Sharma along with his colleagues in the House and expelled party MLA Chaman Lal Gupta staged a walkout from the Assembly, saying the government was denying political representation to patriotic people of the state. The House witnessed uproar as the National Conference and Congress legislators also countered the BJP members over
the issue. Uproar in House The BJP legislators created uproar and walked out of the Assembly on Wednesday when Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah opposed the introduction of Private Member’s Bill by BJP legislator Jugal Kishore Sharma who sought five out of total 24 vacant seats in the Assembly for people from PoK |
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23 major projects in state incomplete
Jammu, February 26 The state legislature unanimously passed Rs 44,449-crore Budget on February 23 for the 2014-15 fiscal. This was said in the Lower House here today in reply to a question by former Union Minister and sitting MLA from Jammu West Chaman Lal Gupta. Gupta had sought detailed information on major development projects and funds spent so far vis-à-vis delay in their completion. On behalf of the Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra, the government, in a written reply, attributed the delay in some projects to unforeseen reasons such as backing out by the contractor, mid-course change of the scope of the project, time taken in shifting utilities and inadequate flow of resources. However, annexure ‘A’ appended with the reply divulged the details of 23 projects upon which the state has spent over
Rs 576.53 crore in the past five years and are incomplete. On the Industrial Growth Centre, Pulwama, the government revised the cost of the project from Rs 54.20 crore to Rs 40.47 crore and has spent Rs 29.50 crore so far. Out of 6,193 kanals acquired, 3,200 kanals stand developed and 2,000 kanals allotted/earmarked to 330 unit holders. It is likely to be completed in 2014-15. On the Industrial Estate, Khunmoh, Phase III, to be developed at a cost of Rs 20.20 crore, the government has spent Rs 12.50 crore. Of the 907 kanals, 798 kanals have been developed and 552 allotted/earmarked to 336
unit holders. It is likely to be completed in 2015-16. On the Industrial Estate at Ghatti in Kathua, which is to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 58.23 crore, the government has spent Rs 14.19 crore. Of the 2,886 kanals, 1,000 kanals stand developed. It is likely to be completed in 2019-20. On the sewage network project in Jammu which will come up at a cost of Rs 25.99 crore, the government has spent Rs 17.06 crore and the work is likely to be completed in October this year. Similarly, two other sewage projects in Jammu (WW-02 and WW-03) on which the government has so far spent Rs 29.37 crore and Rs 29.06 crore, respectively, are likely to be
completed in October this year. Two projects of the Revenue Department on which the government has spent Rs 37.15 crore and Rs 27.32 crore in Ramban and Kishtwar districts, respectively, and 14 other projects of the Health
and Medical Education Department and Finance Department across the state on which the government has spent more
than Rs 341.27 crore are incomplete. The government reply stated that they were likely to be completed from December this year to 2016-17. The total income of the state from all resources is Rs 6,500 crore while the state suffers electricity losses of Rs 2,000 crore per year. Projects delayed The government attributed the delay in some
projects to unforeseen reasons such as backing out by the contractor, mid-course change of the scope of the project, time taken in shifting utilities and inadequate flow of resources |
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MLC says cops fear militant attacks in Pulwama, stay indoors
Jammu, February 26 Magray sought answers from the government on the issue. The MLC told the House that there was a traffic jam in Pulwama town but police personnel didn’t come out to deal with it. “Policemen fear that they may be attacked by militants. As in the past, a few policemen were killed by militants in the area,” Magray said. He said, “A High Court judge recently got caught in a traffic jam in Pulwama town and no policeman came to his help. When he inquired why no traffic policemen are on the roads, he was told that policemen fear they might be attacked by militants as some time back few policemen were killed.” Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo said he would call Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Kashmir, to ascertain the truth behind the issue. — TNS |
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Amarnath yatra: Online booking of helicopter tickets to start on March 17
Jammu, February 26 The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has made arrangements with Pawan Hans Limited and Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd for providing heli-services on the Neelgrath (Baltal)-Panjtarni-Neelgrath (Baltal) sector and Himalayan Heli Services Pvt Ltd for heli-services on the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam sector. The annual pilgrimage
is scheduled to begin on June 28. Navin K Choudhary, chief executive officer, SASB, said the online booking facility would be available to the intending yatris from March 17 on the websites of the helicopter companies. The CEO said the one-way per passenger heli-fares for the Neelgrath (Baltal)-Panjtarni and Pahalgam-Panjtarni sectors had been fixed at Rs 1,950 and Rs 4,190 respectively. Choudhary stated that the yatris were not required to seek advance registration. However, all such yatris will not be allowed to board the helicopters unless they produce the required compulsory health certificate, notified by their respective state governments. The yatris using heli-service will have to furnish health certificates at the time of boarding the helicopter at Nelgrath or Pahalgam. |
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Three-day Shiv Khori mela begins
Ransoo, February 26 The mela is being jointly organised by the state Tourism Department, Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board (SSKSB) and the district administration, Reasi. A colourful procession was also taken out in which various religious and cultural troops participated. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, Director, Tourism, Soujanay Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Vivek Gupta, besides senior officials and hundreds of pilgrims were present. Wishing the people on Mahashivratri, Bhalla said due to the efforts of the SSKSB and the Tourism Department, there had been an enormous surge in number of pilgrims. He said the pilgrimage to the shrine was touching the mark of 22 lakh at present and hoped that the yatra would touch new heights in future. For the holistic development of Ransoo village, the base camp of the cave shrine, the minister said the government had formulated a comprehensive master plan for Shiv Khori and its adjoining areas. He appreciated the efforts of the district administration for making arrangements for security, drinking water, power supply, medical care facilities, sanitation, fire services, yatra slip counter with announcement counter and provision of blankets at the shrine to facilitate the pilgrims during the mela. The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, who is also the chairman of the SSKSB, appreciated the people of Reasi and Katra for their coordination for the successful conduct of the mela. |
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Farm varsity VC calls on Governor
Jammu, February 26 The SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor briefed the Governor about the projected J&K Agriculture Science Congress being hosted by SKUAST, research work being carried out in different wings of the university and at its research centres for enhancing agricultural production in the state.
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Leh village delegation calls on Guv
Jammu, February 26 It apprised the Governor about lack of connectivity, educational opportunities and employment avenues in remote parts of Nobra. The Governor assured the delegation of all possible support. — TNS |
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Cash-starved state spent
Rs 6.5 cr on re-employed govt officials
Jammu, February 26 “In wake of the administrative exigencies expressed by various departments, 125 retired officials were re-employed since 2008,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the charge of the General Administration Department (GAD), said in a written reply to a question of PDP legislator Nizam-ud-din Bhat in the Legislative Assembly. Surprisingly, the cash-starved government has spent around Rs 6.5 crore on salaries, perks and other facilities available to such officials during the period. Salaries and other perks are provided to the retired re-engaged persons on the last pay drawn minus pension and committed portion of pension, if any, in terms of Article 259 of the J&K Civil Service Regulations and as per the prescribed norms for providing staff in the personal sections of the ministers. On April 24 last, the state Cabinet had imposed a blanket ban on re-employment of government officials. Till that time, the government was following the practice of re-engaging officers or officials, granting extension in services of retired employees or reemploying officials after retirement, following a government order in 2007. Various departments were directed not to submit any such reemployment proposal. The Chief Minister said some of the retired officers had been engaged on contractual basis in the personal sections of the ministers, ministers of state, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of boards or corporations having the status of cabinet minister and minister of state as per the laid down norms. There are nearly 2.45 lakh registered unemployed youth in the state and the government had implemented a new recruitment policy for the youth to “reduce the exponential growth of the non-plan expenditure, particularly salaries”. Under the new policy, a fresh recruit would get only 50 per cent of the basic pay for the first two years and 75 per cent for the next three years without any allowances in the non-gazetted categories. |
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Guv, CM greet residents on Mahashivratri
Jammu, February 26 The Governor said, “The festival symbolises the values of piety, devotion, brotherhood and harmony, which are the hallmark of our glorious cultural ethos.” The Governor prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the state. Wishing people prosperity, the Chief Minister referred to the tradition of the people of J&K of celebrating such occasions in amity and brotherhood. He expressed hope that this trait would be further strengthened with the passage of time. Omar said, “Hairth is an important part of Kashmiryat and denotes historical bonds of love and amity between Hindus and Muslims.” He also prayed for peace and betterment of the state and the country. — TNS
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ICRC panel calls on Governor
Jammu, February 26 The delegation thanked the Governor for his strong support to the activities being carried out by the Red Cross Society in J&K and briefed him about various programmes being run by the International Committee of the Red Cross in the state and the initiatives taken in reaching out to the people affected by calamities. Werntz was accompanied by Christina Bym, team leader, Kashmir, and Beata Skwarska, team leader, Jammu. |
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Discrepancies in ReT teachers’ lists: Education official suspended
Rajouri, February 26 The official was attached to the office of the Director, School Education, pending inquiry. The government order also authorised Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Hemant Kumar Sharma to hold an inquiry and submit the report in the shortest possible time. The District Education Planning Officer, Suresh Kumar, has been given the additional charge of the ZEO, Manjakot. The order signed by Additional Secretary, Education, TM Malik read that as per the preliminary inquiry initiated after several complaints by people of the area, the said official had not released the file of the panel of ReT teachers in the area for the last two years and 24 such panels were pending. The Tehsildar, Rajouri, during scrutiny of panels, found that in the 10 panels/cases, the habitation certificates had not been obtained from the competent authority (Tehsildar, Rajouri) and the papers were found to be fake. On the basis of the discrepancies in the selection process, the government took action against the erring official and placed him under suspension. After several complaints by genuine candidates, several habitation certificates attached to applications were found carrying fake stamps/signatures of the Rajouri Tehsildar. The deserving candidates had met the Deputy Commissioner and apprised him about the fake certificates and discrepancies committed by Shah Nawaz Khan, Manjakot ZEO. The Manjakot police has booked six candidates under Sections 120B, 468 and 471 of the RPC for producing fake habitation certificates. Meanwhile, supporters of the suspended ZEO today held a protest and didn’t allow the employees to open the ZEO office at Manjakot. They said the officer was honest must be reinstated. The Tehsildar and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Manjakot, on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, rushed to Manjakot and held a meeting with political and social leaders and prominent people of Manjakot tehsil. The officials assured the people that from Thursday the ZEO office would function normally and nobody would be allowed to take law in their hand. |
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Army organises mock fire drill
Doda, February 26 The mock exercise was planned to give an insight about the general situation that occurs in case of natural disasters. The exercise was designed to imbibe and streamline various actions and drills to be followed to cater in case of fire mishap. A demonstration on how to use fire safety equipment was conducted by experts to sensitise people about the way to operate the equipment. They also showcased how to cordon and secure a site and help evacuate fire victims in case of any mishap. As many as 194 personnel attended the event. |
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Separatists question veracity of Lolab encounter
Srinagar, February 26 They said the identity of those killed in the incident should be established. The Army and the police had maintained that those killed were armed militants of foreign origin and belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba, but the protesters demanded to make their identity public. Seconding the civilian protesters, the moderate faction Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today demanded an independent probe into the Lolab encounter. “The Hurriyat Executive and General Council in its joint meeting today discussed the tense situation in the Lolab area. The members expressed reservations over the killing of seven youth in Lolab and for labeling them as militants,” a Hurriyat spokesman said in a statement. “Those attending the meeting observed that the demand of the locals to identify those killed was legitimate,” he said. He added that Hurriyat Conference has called for an independent probe into the incident. He said “innocent people” were killed by the Army and the police in the past too during Pathribal, Machil, Ganderbal and Kupwara fake encounters. Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has also called for a “complete shutdown” against the incident on Friday. Terming the Lolab encounter as “mysterious”, senior Hurriyat leader and National Front Chairman Nayeem
Khan also called for establishing the identity of the militants killed in
the encounter. Khan said, the identification of those killed at Dardepora area of Lolab becomes “very important” as past incidents like Pathribal and Machil later turned out to be fake. |
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Mahashivratri festivities begin in Valley
Srinagar, February 26 Shibangi Labroo, a pandit from Shivpora area, said preparations were on for the pooja which would be followed by “salaam” on Friday. “During salaam we visit friends and relatives to extend Herath greetings. The festivities will conclude on March 1,” he said. The hustle and bustle which used to be witnessed during “Herath” before militancy no longer exists, but pandits here are leaving no stone unturned in keeping up with the age-old traditions. The government has set up special mobile-sale outlets of trout fish at Habba Kadal, Indira Nagar, Ganpatyar and other areas of the city as fish is cooked on the occasion. The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CA&PD) distributed ration on the eve, but residents it seems were not impressed. Sumit, a resident of Indra Nagar, said: “Sufficient ration was not made available and trout counters were not set up at all Hindu dominated areas.” On the other hand, CA&PD official said no special quota of ration was made available for festivals by the Centre anymore and whatever ration was dispatched, was arranged by the department only. |
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Techies on a mission to ‘Connect Kashmir’
Srinagar, February 26 “Connect Kashmir”, developed by siblings and computer graduates Suhail Zargar and Rayees Zargar, has 5,000 active users already. After confronting several barriers, the duo finally launched the site at an international IT event in Mumbai. “Power outages and poor internet connectivity posed some of the problems while developing the site,” they said. The website can be accessed at www.connectkashmir.com. “We have added several features to the site, which people will find useful. They will enjoy connecting with Kashmir,” they said. “Social networking is a craze these days and people from every age group are using it. Hence we decided to introduce a social-networking module that will help in attracting Kashmiri people,” Rayees said. They said the membership was increasing everyday. “We are providing space to local entrepreneurs to market their products on the site,” Suhail said. Now, after getting a positive response from people, they want to further expand and develop the site, but do not have the resources. “Because of huge traffic it has become difficult to maintain the site. We are looking for sponsors and advertisers,” they said. The website features articles on Kashmir’s history. “The aim is to create awareness about Kashmiri language through social networking. People from all age groups use it,” said, Suhail Zargar, who is a student of MCA. They said they were working on making it more useful. “We are working to introduce closed-group module on the website soon, which will allow private intra-organisational communication to various companies, educational institutions, and organisations. It will also provide instant notifications on user’s mobile,” they added. Not the first time * This is not the first time that someone from the state has come up with such an initiative. The trend of
making android games, applications and developing websites is gaining popularity in Kashmir. *
A 19-year-old boy had developed an android game based on basic principles of physics. *
A 23-year-old software engineer had also developed an android application "Dial Kashmir", which has over 500 contacts of government and private departments. |
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Posts of health officer lie vacant at KU
Srinagar, February 26 Interestingly, the university was unaware of the norms to be followed while filling vacancies of the health officers. Now, the Principal’s office of Government Medical College, Srinagar, has been consulted, which has sent its report to the KU top brass for determining the eligibility criteria for the selection of doctors. Registrar, KU, Zaffer Reshi said the report submitted by GMC, Srinagar, would be adhered to and that the posts would be filled. “We wanted specialist doctors, hence specialisation in specific streams has to be decided by GMC before we could go ahead with filling the posts,” the Registrar said. It was a long-pending demand of the university students as well as the faculty members to have a full-fledged medical dispensary on the university premises. There are first-aid facilities at KU for catering to the needs of nearly 5,000 students and hundreds of teaching and non-teaching faculty, but the absence of specialist doctors has always irked students and teachers. Students welcomed KU's initiative of filling 200 vacancies in the administration and the teaching department. “A university as big as KU should have separate and good facilities for meeting the medical needs, especially emergency situations. Besides, there are five hostels on the campus, where thousands of outstation students are housed. In case of any medical emergency situation, hostellers have to rush to government hospitals, which are far. If the doctors are available round-the-clock in the university, such emergency situations could be tackled,” Sumaira, a hostel resident, said. |
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Food Safety: MC extends jurisdiction
Srinagar, February 26 "The SMC's move to extend its jurisdiction has come as the cantonment had no designated food-safety officer or laboratory to test eatables’ quality," an MC official said. The official added that the SMC Commissioner GN Qasba had called a meeting in this regard and directed health officials to carry out necessary measures to implement the Food Safety Act inside the cantonment to ensure food quality. "It's important that eatables sold in Srinagar are not adulterated or violating the Food Safety Act 2006. The SMC will be lifting samples from the cantonment for requisite tests to ensure sale of safe and healthy food items," said Qasba. |
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Symposium on child labour, national integration
Jammu, February 26 The topics of the symposium were child labour, national integration and population control wherein Sakeel Ahmed Being, DIG, Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, was the chief guest. Anil Mangotra, SP, Samba, was the guest of honour and the SDPO, Bari Brahmana, presided over the function. A total of 45 students from various institutions participated in the event where Anuradha of Class IX and Itika Atri of Class VII of Humanity Public School secured second positions on the topics. Both students were awarded a cash prize of Rs 300 each. Shweta Kumari of Class IX and Shewani Manhas of Class VII received cash prize of Rs 100 each for participation. Gaurav Charak, principal of the school, along with Anku Charak, vice-principal, felicitated meritorious students on the occasion.
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Dental camp at Bari Brahmana
Jammu, February 26 More than 200 patients were treated at the camp and they were given medicines free of cost.
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Sports meet concludes
Jammu, February 26 Addressing the air warriors during the closing ceremony, the Group Captain emphasised the importance of utilising sports as a medium of enhancing camaraderie and team spirit.
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State judokas win five medals in nationals
Jammu, February 26 Judoka Shikha Bhau bagged gold medal in 57 kg category, while Kabra Altaf (52 kg), Sabiya Shafeeq (Plus 78 kg), Dheeraj Kumar (plus 81 kg) and Arunesh Sarin (plus 100 kg) finished third to be contended with bronze medals each. The medal winners were congratulated by chairman of the association Rachpal Singh, president RC Thakur and general secretary Vikas Gupta. The state contingent was accompanied by Suraj Bhan Singh, Ritika Slathia, Rameshwar Singh Jamwal and Abdul Hamid Khan. |
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Ludhiana man found dead in Pahalgam
Srinagar, February 26 A police spokesman said a body was recovered in the residential quarter of ‘Dana Pani’ restaurant. “The body was later identified as Harvinder Singh, resident of Chotihaboall Khurd in Ludhiana,” the spokesman said. The police have registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC. — TNS
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Dr Tej Pratap, Vice Chancellor of the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir
(SKUAST-K), called on Governor NN Vohra, Chancellor of the university, at Raj Bhawan here today.
Doda, February 26
