The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Pandits demand passage of temples’ Bill without dilution Threaten to launch nationwide agitation if ‘fractured’ Bill is passed Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 The All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) - a front line organisation of Kashmiri Pandits (KPs), today threatened the state government with the launching of a nationwide agitation if the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation) Bill was not passed in the current session of the Legislative Assembly. Several Kashmiri Pandits' organisations under the banner of the APMCC has also warned the government that it should not go for any "dilution" in the Bill and demanded that all the temples and shrines should be brought under the purview of the proposed Bill. "It is unfortunate that several legislators, including Jammu-based MLAs, are favouring a few influential people rather than the common man as they have demanded exclusion of various trusts and temples from the ambit of the Bill. No Hindu organisation will tolerate such an attitude and fight against the passing of a fractured Bill, if so," Vinod Pandit, chairman of the APMCC told reporters here. Flanked by King Bharati, national spokesperson of the APMCC, along with representatives of various temple management committees working in the Kashmir valley and Hindu organisations of Jammu, the APMCC chairman said, "If the government keeps any temple away from the purview of the Bill, no management committee would let their temples to be taken over by the proposed board and stakeholders would launch a nationwide agitation to expose the double standards of the government." Rejecting the contention of Jammu-based legislators that they were supporting the alleged corrupt people who had turned these temples into their "private properties", Pandit said temples were public properties and nobody would be allowed to dilute the Bill. The KP leaders demanded that all temples, shrines, holy hillocks, holy springs and holy places from the Jawahar Tunnel to Uri and Ladakh region should be brought under the purview of the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation) Bill. "The temple management committees working on actual ground at present and for the past 23 years of militancy, who have managed, repaired, renovated and maintained the temples and shrines, should be the first management committees of the respective temples answerable to the proposed Temple Management Committees," KP leaders said.
	JU students’ committee seeks removal of VC Accuses varsity admn of adopting dictatorial attitude Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 Accusing the University of Jammu (JU) administration of working under a "well-planned conspiracy to spoil" the future of scholars, the Students, Scholars Joint Action Committee (SSJAC) today demanded immediate removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the varsity from the post. "We appeal to Governor NN Vohra, who is the Chancellor of the varsity, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is Pro-Chancellor of the institution, to save the University of Jammu from major disaster in view of existing nepotism on the campus and dictatorial attitude of the varsity authorities, who are bent upon spoiling the future of scholars and students of the Jammu region," Varinder Singh Chib, SSJAC leader, told reporters here. Chib, who was flanked by university students, said the SSJAC was forced to raise its voice as the university authorities had adopted a "dictatorial attitude" and had been subjecting students and scholars to "sheer mental harassment". He alleged that he had cleared the National Eligibility Test and fulfils the eligibility criteria to get admission to the university, but the Vice-Chancellor had denied him admission on "flimsy" grounds. He said every person had the right to get education in the democratic setup and questioned as to how could the Vice Chancellor deny him admission if he wanted to purse higher education? "Other scholars and students are also being victimised by the authorities, who are working under a well-planned conspiracy to spoil the future of students from the Jammu region," he alleged. He threatened to stage a dharna outside Raj Bhawan if the Vice Chancellor was not removed from the post immediately.
	Research scholars seek poll duties for educated unemployed youth Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 The Jammu University Research Scholar Executive Association (JURSEA) today demanded that the government teachers should not be assigned election duties and educated unemployed youth having the knowledge of Urdu and computer be used for the purpose. Talking to the mediapersons here, Akshey Sharma, general secretary of the JURSEA, said the decision of the Election Department to assign the special duty of General Elections to government teachers was affecting the academic activities in educational institutions. “The teachers working in government schools are not able to perform the teaching duties as they have been assigned the duties of electoral procedures,” he said, adding that students had been suffering due to this. This system was "unethical and illogical" and the Election Department should restrain from assigning election duties to government teachers, Sharma said. “Highly educated, Urdu and computer-knowing unemployed youth can be entrusted with the task of the election duties. Although being highly qualified and capable of doing the electoral procedures work, they are not given an opportunity to do any work,” the JURSEA leader said. He also sought the personal intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah into the matter.
	Workshop for journalists starts at JU Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 A three-day workshop for working journalists of the Jammu region commenced at the University of Jammu (JU). The workshop was inaugurated by Prof Ali Javed, former Director, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL). The workshop is being organised by the NCPUL, Union HRD Ministry, in collaboration with the Centre for Professional Studies in Urdu, University of Jammu. About 40 working journalists, belonging to different newspapers, are participating in the workshop. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, JU, Prof MP Singh Ishar, who presided over the function, thanked the NCPUL for choosing Jammu University for organising the event. Prof Ishar hoped that the workshop and other activities that had been planned would provide mediapersons time for sober reflections so that they reaffirm their commitment to the ethics of the profession. "It is the only way we can reassure the public of our determination to play our watchdog role in the society without fear or favour," he added. He said mediapersons should ensure accuracy, balance and fairness in their work and provide comprehensive information to enable the citizenry make informed choice and decisions. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Ali Javed congratulated the NCPUL and Centre for Professional Studies for organising a workshop for working journalists of the Jammu province and hoped that these types of programmes would be organised in future also. He threw light on the aims and objectives of journalism and said, "Journalism is the pillar of the democracy and as they are living in the democratic country, the journalist should use his pen to strengthen democracy."
	Shutdown in Valley over killing of seven militants Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 28 The Kashmir valley today observed a shutdown in protest against the killing of seven foreign militants in a gunfight this week. The call for the shutdown was given by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Geelani. Public transport services were off the road in the city and other districts of the Valley while private vehicles and cabs plied normally. The intra-district transport was disrupted due to the shutdown. Major markets in the city, including in and around Lal Chowk, also remained closed. Separatists have linked the killings in the Lolab forest with the “fake” 2010 Machil encounter, in which the Army had indicted its six personnel, including two officers, for staging a fake gunfight and killing three civilians and demanded its “independent investigation”. The Army and the police had said they killed seven militants, all believed to be foreigners, during the gunfight on Monday in the dense Lolab forest of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Security officials have maintained that the slain men were militants of foreign origin and belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad outfits. The gunfight had sparked protests in parts of Kupwara following rumours that those killed in the forest were civilians. Protesters damaged a police station and later took the possession of the bodies of the seven unidentified militants. Local authorities imposed restrictions in the area following the protests in Kupwara’s other parts, including its main township. The restrictions and shutdown continued today in parts of north Kashmir for the fourth consecutive day. Yasin Malik detained Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik and its 20 leaders were detained while protesting at Maisuma in Srinagar on Friday. After minor incidents of stone-throwing, the police and paramilitary personnel managed to control the situation.
	BJP to field Jugal from Jammu Jammu, February 28 BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma was today given a rousing welcome by party workers on his arrival in Jammu after being announced as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Jammu-Poonch constituency. Jugal Kishore Sharma was joined by party’s candidate for the Kathua-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency Dr Jitendra Singh. Both candidates were welcomed amid beating of drums and distribution of sweets. — TNS
	Amid restrictions, sporadic clashes in Kupwara Curfew continues in Lalpora village for 4th day Our Correspondent Kupwara, February 28 Normal life was hit in major towns of Kupwara district due to strike and restrictions imposed by the authorities to prevent protests and clashes. Curfew remained enforced in Lalpora village of Lolab valley for the fourth consecutive day today. The police made fresh announcement today regarding imposition of curfew on the public address system and warned people not to defy it. Amid curfew, only village elders were allowed to offer Friday prayers at Lalpora village, which had witnessed violent clashes on Tuesday following the killing of seven militants in the adjoining Dardpora forests of the Lolab valley on Monday. In Tilwanpora mohalla of Lalpora, the police and the CRPF burst tear smoke shells to disperse a group of youth, who defied the curfew and resorted to stone pelting. Itrat Hussian Rafique, DC, Kupwara, said curfew remained enforced in Lalpora town and village elders were allowed to offer Friday prayers in five mosques in the village. The situation had improved and was under control in the major towns of the district, he added. Normal life was affected in other towns in the district, including Trehgam, Kralpora and Handwara, for the third day today due to a complete shutdown and restrictions. In rest of the Lolab valley, reports said people offered Friday prayers amid strict restrictions enforced by the police. Sporadic clashes erupted between youth and the police in Kupwara town after Friday prayers, however no one was injured.
	In 5 yrs, Omar forms 5 probe panels Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 In the conflict-ridden J&K, 13 Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) and 123 judicial or magisterial inquiries have been ordered since 1998 to probe various incidents such as the Pathribal case, Shopian rape and murder case, custodial killings, fake encounters and Kishtwar riots. The ruling Omar Abdullah government has ordered five inquiry commissions in the last five years and made an expenditure of around Rs 76.38 lakh on them. “A total of 13 Commissions of Inquiry and 123 judicial or magistrate inquiries have been ordered in J&K to date. Out of the 123 magisterial or judicial Inquiries, 23 inquiries are still on,” Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah said in a written reply in the Assembly today. The Law Minister made the reply in response to two separate queries of PDP MLAs Choudhary Zulfikar Ali and Syed Basharat Ahmad Bukhari. Since 2009, the state government constituted five inquiry commissions and Rs 76.38 lakh was spent on the commissions: Rs 9.55 lakh on the Justice Muzaffar Jan Commission, Rs 7 lakh on the Justice Syed Bashir and Justice Y P Nargotra Commission, Rs 52.96 lakh on the Justice H S Bedi Commission and Rs 6.87 lakh on Justice RC Gandhi Commission. The Muzaffar Jan Commission was constituted to inquire into the causes and circumstances which led to the death of two women, Neelofar Jan and Asiya Jan, in Shopian in 2009. “The commission submitted its report and the case was subsequently handed over to the CBI for investigation,” the Law Minister said. The Justice Syed Bashir and Justice YP Nargotra Commission was constituted in 2010 to inquire into the events resulting in the death of 17 persons in the Kashmir division. “The commission is yet to submit its report. Its term has been extended by the government up to March 28, 2011. However, the High Court issued interim directions restraining the commission from finalising its report. The case is being contested through senior law officer of the state,” Saifullah said. The Justice HS Bedi Commission was constituted to inquire into the causes and circumstances that led to death of National Conference activist Syed Mohammad Yousuf after returning from the residence of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “The commission submitted its report on December 22, 2012, which was accepted by the government,” the Law Minister said. The Justice (retired) RC Gandhi Commission, constituted to look into the incidents of violence and arson that took place in Kishtwar on August 9 last year, submitted its interim report on December 20, 2013. “The final report is still awaited. The date for the submission of the report by the commission was extended up to February 22, 2014,” Saifullah said. The present government appointed Justice (retired) ML Koul on October 4, 2013, to inquire into the CRPF firing incidents that led to the killing of four persons in Shopian on September last year. “The inquiry is still on,” the Law Minister said. The written reply did not mention the expenditure incurred by the government on this commission. Saifullah said it was the policy of the government to take action against any officer or official if he was found involved in a crime. Costly affair Since 2009, the state government constituted five inquiry commissions and ~76.38 lakh was spent on the commissions: ~ 9.55 lakh on the Justice Muzaffar Jan Commission, ~7 lakh on the Justice Syed Bashir and Justice Y P Nargotra Commission, ~52.96 lakh on the Justice HS Bedi Commission and ~6.87 lakh on Justice RC Gandhi Commission.
	Governor stresses need for diversified farming models Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, visited the main campus of the university at Chatha, near here, today. Besides inaugurating the buildings of the health centre, examination hall, School of Biotechnology and a sports complex, he reviewed the progress of an auditorium and staff quarters, which are under construction. He stressed the need to ensure an early completion of all ongoing projects and for work being commenced to construct more residential quarters and hostels on the campus to make it a fully residential university. He met the senior faculty members of the university in an interactive session in which Dr Mohammad Salim, Director (Education), Dr Ajay Koul, Director (Research) and Dr KS Risam, Director (Extension) of the university made presentations on the academic, research and extension work being done in the university. The Governor pointed out the vital role which state farm universities were expected to play and asked the scientists to work in tandem with other research organisations both within and outside the state to develop customised solutions to specific problems being faced by agriculturists in the Jammu region. He also stressed the need for spreading diversified farming models as only such an approach could enhance the economic prosperity of farmers who had small holdings. He also emphasised the need for ensuring against any delay in transferring new technologies to farms by the university through krishi vigyan kendras (KVKs) and extension wings of the State Agriculture Department. He pointed out that the university must gain excellence in all spheres of its functioning, particularly in the arenas of teaching, research and extension, if it were to render the much-needed support for enhancement of agricultural production and productivity in the state. While appreciating various initiatives taken by Vice Chancellor Prof D Arora in launching courses in biotechnology and agri-business management and convening a number of research programmes on the basis of external funding, the Governor emphasised the need for increasing the number of students at all levels and in all departments and maintaining high academic standards in all areas of learning. He said due attention should be paid for the promotion of sports and other extra-curricular activities in the university. He released four books, which have been authored by the Vice Chancellor and different faculty members of the university. He lauded their efforts in writing books on issues of current scientific importance. The Governor was accompanied by Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, during his visit to the university.
	K Rajendra new Special DGP Jammu, February 28 K Rajendra Kumar took over the charge of Special Director General of Police (DGP) (Coordination), Police Headquarters, here today. Rajendra, a 1984 batch IPS officer, will hold the charge of the Special DGP, which has recently been created by the state government. Rejendra, who was presently posted as DG Prisons (J&K), has served the state in various capacities, including SP, Doda, SSP, Srinagar, DIG, Srinagar, IGP, Kashmir, IGP, Headquarters, IGP, CID, IGP, Jammu, ADGP, CID, and ADGP, Armed/Law and Order. He has been awarded with the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Services, President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry, and Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medal for Meritorious Services. — TNS
	Deputy Speaker snubs govt for ‘non-seriousness’ towards House Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 Deputy Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly Sartaj Madni today snubbed the state government twice for showing “non-seriousness” towards the business of the Legislative Assembly. It started when the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Fisheries Manohar Lal caught unprepared in response to a question of PDP legislator Syed Basharat Bukhari. When the Deputy Speaker asked the minister to make a reply to the issue raised by the legislator, the latter was caught unprepared facing the anger of the Deputy Speaker. “This is very bad. You are in the Assembly and you should be serious in the business of the House,” Madni said. Later, the Deputy Speaker grilled the government for showing “non-seriousness” towards the Legislative Assembly when the MoS Fisheries, on behalf of the School Education Minister, was responding to the Calling Attention Notice moved by senior Congress legislator GM Saroori in the House. “Neither the Cabinet nor his deputy minister (of the School Education Department) is in the House. Nothing is more important than this House. Such irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated,” the Deputy Speaker said. Assembly adjourned due to lack of quorum The Assembly continued to face the problem of suitable quorum to conduct business as Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni adjourned the House following lack of quorum. At 11.40 am, Madni adjourned the House for 10 minutes when the Legislative Assembly ran short of quorum. In the 89-member House, a minimum 23 members are required to be present to conduct the business. At the time of adjournment, the House was short of required 23 members.The House had been adjourned twice in the last one week, on February 24 and February 26, following lack of quorum.
	‘Herath’ loses charm in Habba Kadal Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 28 Once abuzz with Kashmiri Pandits, Habba Kadal area on both sides of the Jhelum river seemed desolate on Mahashivratri, called “Herath” in local parlance, in the absence of a majority of the community members. Beelines for purchasing earthenware, fish and walnuts were nowhere in sight this year. Besides, unlike peaceful times a few devotees visited temples in and around the place. Mahashivratri, the most auspicious festival of Shaivite Kashmiri Pandits, has for centuries been celebrated with feasts and festivities in the Valley till the separatist violence forced over 150,000 members of the community to migrate from here in the early 1990s. Local Muslims would carry walnuts from their trees to Pandit neighbours in villages and friends in towns and cities. “Walnuts are an important part of the puja. These were put in an earthen pot containing water as walnut symbolises Shiv-Shakti union. In Kashmir, pandits would perform puja of “Vatuk Bhairav” (form of Lord Shiva that emerged in the form of light from a pot containing water),” said a local. The area, which used to be densely populated with Kashmiri Pandits, is now dotted by their presence after their mass migration in early 1990s. Now, only 37 families of non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits live in entire Habba Kadal constituency. Some of them paid their obeisance at nearby temples, including Kathleshwar Mahadev temple at Zaindar Mohalla overlooking the Habba Kadal bridge, on the occasion yesterday. “That charm of yesteryear is gone,” said Sanjay Kumar, a non-migrant residing in a nearby locality. He recalled the days when people lined up in front of shops to buy earthenware, which are in demand on the occasion. Many local old-timers missed the hullabaloo in the markets that used to be there on the festival. Dwindling numbers The festival of Mahashivratri has lost its charm as Habba Kadal, which used to be densely populated with Kashmiri Pandits, is now dotted by their presence after their mass migration in early 1990s
	Promote female, adult literacy for balanced growth: Usha Vohra Jammu, February 28 Governor NN Vohra's wife Usha Vohra stressed the importance of educating women and promoting adult literacy for achieving balanced growth and development. She was speaking at a function organised by the Association for Social Health in India (ASHI) at Government Middle School, Simblehar, Jagti panchayat, here today. “The sustained advancement of women education is essential for promoting the health of society. An educated girl is an asset for her family and the society to which she belongs. An educated mother brings up healthy and well-developed children who are able to form the productive part of the country’s population,” she said. She says not only women but the entire adult population at large, which is still deprived of the benefits of education, should put their foot forward to gain literacy as it is never too late to get education. She distributed certificates among 55 women beneficiaries of the Adult Literacy Programme conducted by the ASHI. She also inaugurated a Women Adult Literacy Unit and a cutting and tailoring centre. She provided sewing machines and other tailoring equipment to the centre.On behalf of the Governor, she announced that 50 desks should be provided to facilitate students of Government Middle School, Simblehar, who are undergoing computer training. Students and women beneficiaries presented a cultural programme. Prof Ved Ghai was the guest of honour. — TNS
	Kashmir-born awarded for community service in UK London, February 28 Mahendra Kaul, a veteran NRI broadcaster and popularly known as Curry King in the UK, has been conferred the Community Service Award at the House of Commons here. Kaul (92) received the award last night from The Baroness Betty Boothroyd, OM PC, former Speaker of the House of Commons. “I have spoken for over 50 years on TV and radio. When I first came to the UK, the situation was entirely different. Now, we can see the change and the Asian community has brought this about through its dedication and hard work,” said Kaul, the first NRI to be awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) after the World War II for services to race relations through his BBC TV programmes. Born and educated in Kashmir, Kaul served as newsreader, actor and producer of programmes, including plays. He worked for Radio Kashmir and All India Radio besides assisting the Films Division to promote rural development. Editor of the Indian Services at Voice of America (1955-60), he later joined the immigrants programme unit of the BBC, producing two weekly TV programmes for Asian viewers for nearly two decades. One of his popular programmes, “Apna Hi Ghar Samjhiye” (Make Yourself At Home), ran for 14 years. Kaul was brought in to present a series of such programmes to help immigrants to settle and integrate in the UK. He was awarded the OBE in 1975 for services to race relations, a rare award for NRIs at that time. Later, he received the Duke of Edinburgh award. — PTI
	‘Green Vote’ campaign launched in Reasi Devinder Thakur Katra, February 28 The Reasi district administration under its Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) plan launched a plantation drive, “Green Vote”, with slogan “One plant one vote”. More than 50,000 saplings will be planted across the district in the next one and half months. The drive was launched at Sukhetar village, near Reasi, by District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner) Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary. Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula has appreciated the innovative drive launched by the district administration. The drive will be carried out at the village level across the district up to the date of nomination for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Rural Development Department is playing a key role, besides the Forests Department and Social Forestry and Horticulture Department. Some NGOs have also been involved. Each eligible voter will plant a sapling on his name with a commitment to actively participate in the electoral process to strengthen democracy. Special orchards and plantation units, dedicated to strengthening democracy, have been developed. Fruit-bearing plants are being provided at the household level, while saplings of other plants will be planted under community plantation programme. Each person while planting sapling also takes a pledge to participate in the elections and work for ethical voting. Orchards and nurseries will be developed on the premises of more than 150 Panchayat Ghars and school buildings. Launching the first plantation drive with this unique theme, the DC impressed upon the people to come forward and be a part for the development process by strengthening democracy. He said a number of training programmes had been organised for officials and political parties apart from awareness programmes under SVEEP for a multi-pronged strategy to ensure free-and-fair election with greater public participation. The “Green Vote” plantation drive with slogan “One plant, one vote” was a part of ongoing SVEEP campaign Jashn-e-Jamhuriat for electoral awareness, which completed six months earlier this month. He said the drive would be a historical step in improving environment and strengthening democracy, which would also encourage people to actively associate themselves with the democratic exercise. The ACD, Joginder Singh Rai, underlined the importance of role played by Panchayati Raj institutions in making the awareness campaign a great success and also informed about the roadmap of the plantation drive in the district. The campaign would continue at the panchayat and village level, apart from plantation drives at Pouni, Katra, Reasi, Arnas and Mahore in weeks to come. The DPO, Rohit Sharma, executive engineer Pankaj Sahney, BDO Tinna Mahajan, senior officials of various departments, members of panchayat and prominent citizens were present on the occasion. Various speakers welcomed the plantation drive.
	Overpricing, irregular supply irk LPG users Suhail A Shah Anantnag, February 28 A year after “reforms” in LPG distribution, gas agencies in Anantnag district have made a mess of the distribution system with complaints of overpricing, irregular supply and underweight gas cylinders getting more frequent. According to reports, the police yesterday seized a truckload of underweight gas cylinders from the Srigufwara area of Anantnag district. Sources in the Police Department said this might be just the tip of the iceberg. "We raided the distribution point after receiving complaints. However, in most of the places across Anantnag, the distribution goes unchecked," said a senior police official. Moreover, home delivery of LPG cylinders in Anantnag and its peripheries is yet to commence, more than a year after the due date to start the service expired. According to an earlier order, the home delivery system was to be put into cycle by February 15, 2013. However, ignoring all deadlines the gas dealers in the district are yet to comply with the administrative guidelines. "The orders were issued to start home delivery in a phased manner starting with Anantnag and Dooru towns. Other towns would have followed subsequently," sources in the district administration said. The sources said this service had been left in a limbo and repeated reminders from the district administration had gone unheeded.
	JCO injured in mine explosion Tribune News Service Jammu, February 28 A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was today injured in a landmine explosion in the Krishna Ghati (KG) sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. The JCO sustained superficial injuries when he inadvertently stepped over a mine in the afternoon in the Nangi Tekri area of the KG sector, said Lt Col Manish Mehta, a Jammu-based defence spokesperson. The injured soldier has been hospitalised, he said.
	Global Vectra, Himalayan Heli bag contracts for copter services Our Correspondent Katra, February 28 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr MK Bhandari has announced that two companies---- Global Vectra Helicorps Limited and Himalayan Heli Services Private Limited---- have been awarded the contracts for providing helicopter services between Katra and Sanjichhat from April 1. Presently, the helicopter services are being carried out by Global Vectra Helicorps Limited and Pawan Hans Limited. Their three-year contracts, which they bagged through an open tender in 2011, are expiring on March 31. The CEO said the services should be conducted as per the contract and approved norms of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the two aviation companies must focus on safety and security of the passengers. Bhandari said the helicopter tickets rates had been finalised on the basis of the lowest tender bid received and the new tariff would be enforced from April 1. One-way Katra-Sanjichhat ticket will cost Rs 1,039 per passenger and the return ticket will cost Rs 2,078 per passenger, he said.
	Schools in Valley reopen after vacation Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 28 Higher secondary schools in Kashmir reopened today after a winter vacation of nearly two-and-a-half months. However, the day registered a thin attendance by students and teachers in schools due to unavailability of public transport in wake of the strike call given by the Hurriyat Conference. The Department of School Education, Kashmir, (DSEK) has extended the winter vacation for primary and middle schools in the Valley till March 4. These schools will reopen on March 5. For students studying in Classes 9 to XII, the classes started today, but the strike call affected the routine class work. Some private educational institutions have, however, preferred to stay close till March 3 due to the weekend. Though the attendance was made mandatory in government schools, the teachers and students expressed inability to reach the school due to the strike. Confusion prevailed yesterday as there was no clarification on dates of reopening of schools by DSEK. Besides, the DSEK website did not update the information on the reopening of the schools, which added to the confusion. The students and teachers also decried lack of facilities especially insufficient heating arrangements in schools. “The state government usually takes prompt action in extreme weather conditions by delaying the re-opening of schools and announcing it on time. The authorities were well aware of the strike call, hence they should have announced the dates accordingly. It was indeed difficult to avail public transport facilities today,” Ghulam Muhammad, said a government school headmaster based in Chadoora, Budgam.
	SMC to issue birth, death certificates online in 24 hrs Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 28 The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has started issuing birth and death certificates online and within 24 hours. Both regular and online certificates are issued on the same day for the city residents, the authorities claimed. “Those who approach the SMC birth and death section can get the certificate issued on the same day. The online facility has been started as the state government is committed to implementing the Public Services Guaranteed Act and flagship e-governance mission of the Government of India,” said SMC Health Officer Dr Shafqat Khan. He said all city hospitals had been linked through a dedicated network of the birth and death registration process so that all births and deaths are uploaded on daily basis on the website of the Housing and Urban Development Department. Khan said the citizens could have access to these records from their homes and can even download the certificates from website jkhudd.gov.in. “The website allows downloading the digitally signed certificates,” he added. However, he said it was necessary that parents made sure the births of their children were registered properly at the hospitals and nursing homes. “Sometimes, we get complaints of delay in issuance of birth certificates. This happens only when births are not registered properly….otherwise we issue certificates the same day,” Khan added. The SMC Health Officer, who is also the Registrar of births and deaths, had earlier attended e-governance champions programme with the National Institute of Smart Government, Hyderabad, under the national e-governance programme of the Government of India.
	Srinagar in darkness as streetlights lie defunct Our Correspondent Srinagar, February 28 Streetlights lying defunct in several localities of the city have become a source of inconvenience to the residents, especially pedestrians. Residents and traders have demanded that streetlights installed in the city should be made functional at the earliest. The residents said despite registering several complaints with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the lights are yet to be repaired. Shopkeepers say, “One is not safe while walking or driving during night due to damaged and faulty streetlights at many places. Civic amenities in the city are in a sorry state when it comes to streetlights.” “Besides, thieves take advantage of the defunct streetlights as many incidents of theft have been reported from the city,” they added. Another resident of the city, Gulzar Ahmad, said, “It becomes difficult for them to visit a mosque in the absence of lighting in the lanes. I offer prayers at home as dusk falls. The authorities concerned seem to be in a slumber. It is problematic for elderly and children.” Residents of Fateh Kadal, Khanyar, Nowpora, KP Bagh and Batamaloo accused the MC of failing to repair the lights despite lodging of their complaints. Residents of tourist hub Dalgate complain that tourists too face inconvenience due to defunct streetlights. “The streetlights were installed as part of the beautification of the main road overlooking Chuntkul at Dalgate in 2010. Last year, the streetlights developed a technical snag and they have not been repaired since then,” the residents said. The streetlights were installed by the SMC and the Power Development Department (PDD). Commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation GN Qasba, however, assured that the streetlights would be repaired soon if people approach them. Last year, the J&K State Commission for Women took a serious note of the defunct streetlights in the city, saying it led to harassment of women in Srinagar.
	Milk adulteration: HC grants authorities two weeks to file compliance report Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 28 The J&K High Court has granted the authorities concerned two weeks’ time to file compliance reports with regard to the previous directions wherein they had been directed to lift the samples of milk and curd sold in the market by different companies for analysis and report the compliance to the court. As the matter came up before a division bench this week, counsels representing the respondent authorities sought time to file the compliance reports. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) calling for implementation of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, in the state. The bench was informed that since the previous orders were served to the parties concerned, so they had very little time to prepare the compliance reports. “After these submissions were made at the Bench, the court in its fresh orders dated February 26 granted two weeks to the parties concerned to report compliance,” a counsel connected with the matter said. Apart from directing the authorities concerned to lift the samples of tinned milk and curd sold in the market once every two weeks for analysis, the High Court in its earlier directions had also directed the authorities to prosecute the manufacturers/companies if found involved in adulterations of the food items in the light of the analysis reports received from the notified laboratories. Stating that the petition at hand voices concern about the non-availability of the manpower and the infrastructure contemplated under the Act, the High Court in its previous orders had also observed that the (Food Safety and Standards) Act remains a paper tiger and the general public has been left at the mercy of unscrupulous manufacturers and sale and distribution of adulterated food items. The court had from time to time directed the respondent authorities concerned to “select/recruit the necessary staff” as laid down under the Act and also set up the infrastructure for making the implementation of the Act “effective.” However, the court in its previous directions had observed that the response to such directions has been “lukewarm by and large and not up to the mark.” Accordingly, the High Court had asked the authorities concerned to file their respective compliance reports by or before the next date of hearing. ‘Lukewarm’ response to HC directions Besides directing the authorities concerned to lift the samples of tinned milk and curd sold in the market once every two weeks for analysis, the J&K High Court in its earlier directions had also directed the authorities to prosecute the manufacturers/companies if found involved in adulterations of the food items in the light of the analysis reports received from the notified laboratories. The court in its previous directions had observed that the response to such directions had been “lukewarm by and large and not up to the mark.” Accordingly, the High Court had asked the authorities concerned to file their respective compliance reports by or before the next date of hearing.
	Kidnapped girl recovered Rajouri, February 28 The police have recovered a girl from Jammu on Thursday who was kidnapped by Shiraz Ahmed of Khablan a few days ago. The police said following a complaint by the girl’s father, the police swung into action and searched a few hotels in Jammu. During the search, the girl was recovered and brought to Thanamandi. She was restored to her family. Shiraz was booked under Sections 366/109 of the RPC. — OC