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Polls for six LS seats in five phases
Army prepared to face any challenge:
Lt Gen Gurmit Singh
CAG disappointed with Central scheme implementation
CAG detects flaws in PM’s rehab package for Kashmiri migrants
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Lawyers go on strike against renaming of Bahu Fort area
Bar Association submits plea to book Farooq Abdullah
Two years on, women yet to get a fair deal in city buses
Congress to cash in on administration units
NC MP urges Centre to restore state’s autonomy
BJP alleges violation of code
Middle schools reopen in Valley
Retd paramilitary personnel to boycott LS polls
Traffic lights installed at 30 locations: Sadhotra
Lack of awareness about MGNREGA in Valley
MC’s physically challenged cricketer felicitated
155 quintals of banned polythene seized
Qadri takes charge of KU PR Centre
Avalanche warning in Kashmir
16 questioned in Pulwama after militant attack
Vaishno Devi varsity VC meets Governor
Govt fails to start construction work on two Central varsities
36,000 solar lights for villages
Tral MLA calls on Governor
Transfers in Doda police department
Impact of climate change on food security discussed
Special teams to check profiteering in city
Training workshop concludes
‘Samey Di Pukar’ enacted
Girl students showcase culture on tour
Vohra discusses higher education with AMU ex-VC
Diabetes screening camp held for women
Drug peddler arrested in Sopore
13 injured in road mishaps
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Polls for six LS seats in five phases
Jammu, March 5 The CEO said the notification for the
Jammu-Poonch parliamentary seat would be issued on March 15, the last date for filing nominations would be March 22, the scrutiny would take place on March 24 and March 26 would be the last day for withdrawal of nominations. The elections for the seat would be held on April 10. The elections for the Udhampur-Kathua parliamentary seat would be held on April 17. The notification would be issued on March 19, the last date for filing nominations would be March 26, the scrutiny would take place on March 27 and March 29 would be the last day for withdrawal of nominations.
Narula said the notification for the Anantnag parliamentary seat (elections on April 24) would be issued on March 29, the last date for filing nominations would be April 5, the scrutiny would take place on April 7, and April 9 would be the last day for withdrawal of nominations. The CEO said the elections for the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat would be held on April 30. The notification would be issued on April 2, the last date for filing nominations would be April 9, the scrutiny would be held on April 10, and April 12 would be the last day for withdrawal of nominations. The elections for the Baramulla-Kupwara and Ladakh parliamentary seats would be held on May 7. The notification would be issued on April 12, the last date for filing nominations would be April 19, scrutiny would take place on April 21 and April 23 would be the last day for withdrawal of nominations. The CEO said 9,633 polling booths would be set up at 7,346 locations in the state. There would be 500 booths more than the 2009 elections. As many as 4,059 booths have been declared critical. He said there were around 70 lakh voters, including 32,75,241 female voters. According to the guidelines of Election Commission of India, enrolment applications were being accepted and on March 9 the Commission would display electoral rolls at all booths while appealing to voters to check their names in the
rolls. Narula said this year photo-voter slips would be made available to voters to facilitate smooth voting. The CEO said the Model Code of Conduct had come into force and it would remain till the election process was over. In order to ensure the code was not violated, the Election Commission would appoint General Observers, Expenditure Observers and Awareness Observers. Besides, he said, all arrangements of security to ensure free and fair elections had been made.
Videography, webcasting, photography of the polling booths would be done in addition to appointing micro-observers to ensure smooth elections. The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, A. K. Sahu said flying squads had been constituted to check any violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Complaints could be made on toll-free number 1077 for the purpose. Security arrangements in place
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Army prepared to face any challenge:
Lt Gen Gurmit Singh
Srinagar, March 5 “There is a threat of a possible spillover. There might be an increase in the infiltration of armed militants. However, the security forces are prepared to face any challenge. The safety and security of people is of top priority,” said GOC of the Kashmir-based 15 Corps Lt Gen Gurmit Singh. While Lok Sabha elections in the state are scheduled for next month, the Assembly polls will be held later this year. “With the receding snow level, there could be a spurt in infiltration attempts,” the officer said. He added that there was no change in the militants’ infrastructure across the Line of Control
(LoC) and they could continue to make attempts to sneak into the Indian side. “With the killing of a large number of top militants belonging to the Hizbul
Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad since last year, militants would definitely try to fill the ranks,” he said. “A large number of foreign militants were killed till date since last year…with zero human rights violations,” Lt General Singh maintained. He pointed out that there was no “collateral damage” and no protests were held against the Army. “The major achievement of the troops during the first two months this year was the killing of 18 militants, including 11 foreigners, while 13 others were apprehend,” Lt General Singh said, adding that all those apprehended were locals. The officer maintained that the thrust in the fight against militants was on the safety and security of people with professional, ethical and truthful operations. He added that the cooperation and support of people was overwhelming as the Army was getting “critical information in critical times”. “During the last year, the Army killed 39 infiltrators along the
LoC, while 37 others, including some top militants were killed in the Valley,” Lt Gen Gurmit Singh said, adding that 28 others were apprehended. “Seven top militants were among those killed, while four top militants were apprehended,” the GOC said. The officer also said there was synergy between the Army, the state police and the intelligence agencies, which resulted in major success against militants. |
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CAG disappointed with Central scheme implementation
Jammu, March 5 The state government embarked upon the ‘ambitious’ project worth Rs 940.05 crore without conducting the basic field survey of identifying Below Poverty Line
(BPL) households. The CAG, in its report for the fiscal year ending March 2013, has picked up several holes in the implementation of the RGGVY in the state. In J&K, the scheme was taken up for execution in 2005-06 and 14 projects were sanctioned, one project for each of the districts in the state at a cost of Rs 635.94 crore, revised to Rs 940.05 crore for electrification of 237 unelectrified villages and intensive electrification of 3,468 electrified villages. The revised programme envisaged covering 1,42,664 rural households, including 80,381 BPL households. Of the 14 projects, seven projects each were given to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited and to the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation for implementation. As part of the audit during 2012-13, the CAG reviewed three
(Anantnag, Pulwama and Rajouri districts) out of the 14 projects implemented. The audit observed deficiency in planning and implementation and delays in execution of the projects. “It was seen in the audit that despite the scheme being in force since 2006-07 and 14 projects under execution, the state had not prepared the rural electrification plans which were a pre-requisite. This resulted in implementation of the projects in an unplanned and adhoc manner,” stated the CAG report. One of the main objectives of the RGGVY was to provide free of cost electricity connection to the BPL families. For this purpose, reliable lists of unelectrified BPL households in all projects after proper field survey were required to be prepared by the state government and had to be provided to project-implementing agencies. The audit showed that no authenticated reliable lists with proper identifiable address in each village/habitation to be covered were prepared by the state government. The projects were planned based on some tentative number of BPL households. The audit also showed that in Anantnag and Pulwama projects, excess materials such as guy wire, GI wire, LT spacers, earthing rods, thimbles and insulators of Rs 1.04 crore were purchased, resulting in unnecessary blockade of project funds. The CAG report was tabled on the last day of the Budget session yesterday. |
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CAG detects flaws in PM’s rehab package for Kashmiri migrants
Jammu, March 5 The
CAG, in its report on social, general and economic sectors for the year ending March 31, 2013, said only one family had “partially” taken financial assistance under the housing component of the scheme. The housing scheme had “not achieved its intended outcome” though Rs 120.41 crore had been spent on it till March last year. The report was released in the state Assembly on the last day of the Budget Session here yesterday. The report said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to the state in April 2008, had announced, inter
alia, a package for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmir migrants, who left the Kashmir valley due to militancy in the state in 1989-90. “Thereafter, a formal state government order was issued in October 2009 detailing seven components, including housing, transit accommodation, continuation of cash relief to migrants, students’ scholarship, employment, assistance to horticulturists and agriculturalists, and waiver of interest on loans, with a total cost of Rs 1,618.40 crore,” it said. It pointed out that only one family had so far actually returned to the Valley. “Against the budget allotment of Rs 172.09 crore for housing, the Relief Commissioner (Migrants), Jammu, could spend Rs 120.41 crore during the years 2008-09 to 2012-13. The amount was reimbursable by the Central Government.” Under the housing package, financial assistance at the rate of Rs 7.5 lakh was to be provided to each returnee family for repair or reconstruction for fully or partially damaged house (more than 20 per cent damage) and assistance of Rs 2 lakh per family for dilapidated or unused houses (less than 20 per cent damage). The assistance of Rs 7.5 lakh per family was to be provided for purchase or construction of a house in group housing societies for those who have sold their properties after 1989. The migrants were expected to form a group housing cooperative society. “An assistance of Rs 5 lakh only against the provision of Rs 7.5 lakh was provided to one returnee family under the package,” the report observed. It also observed that as many as 363 two-room sets out of the 463 constructed room sets were allotted to migrants given jobs under the PM’s package even though their families did not return to the Valley. “The expenditure of Rs 40.85 crore incurred on the construction of two-room sets had not
been utilised effectively,” it said. Housing package
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Lawyers go on strike against renaming of Bahu Fort area
Jammu, February 5 Raising slogans against the state authorities for allegedly trying to fiddle with the historical and heritage name of area falling in and around "Rakh Bahu", the protesting lawyers, under the banner of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, alleged that the government had been playing a mischief and was intended to tamper with the revenue records of such places. The association cautioned the government to stay away from playing with the sentiments of the people by indulging in such “unwarranted acts”. “The word ‘Bahu’ finds its mention in the revenue records of the area and any attempt to fiddle with the places or their names would be taken seriously, as the sentiments of people are attached with them,” it warned. Following the boycott call of the association, all the court premises had thin presence of litigants and advocates and wore a deserted look. The Bahu Fort is one of the ancient structures in Jammu and Kashmir and said to be originally built by Raja Jambu Lochan some 3,000 years ago. Historical records say that Raja Jambu Lochan decided to build the fort when he witnessed a strange scene of a tiger and a goat drinking water side by side at the same location from the Tawi. It was refurbished by the erstwhile Dogra rulers in the 19th century when Maharaja Gulab Singh started his reign after the fall of the Sikh empire in 1840. Historians say that it had survived countless sieges by foreign armies who tried to capture the Jammu plains, but failed to do so due to the unique shape of the fort. |
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Bar Association submits plea to book Farooq Abdullah
Pulwama, March 5 The Bar Association in the application accused Farooq of defaming the image of Kashmiris by issuing such a statement. The association said, “Calling Kashmiris thieves is defamatory and Farooq has committed an offence under Section 499 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).” Advocate Bashir Ahmad, who is pursuing the case, said they went to the Pulwama police station for getting the FIR registered, but the in charge police official called the Pulwama Deputy SP, who asked the Bar representatives to visit his office. “We went to the Deputy SP’s office, who directed us to submit an application to register an FIR against the accused at the Pulwama police station,” he said. The case could not be registered as the Station House Officer was on leave, he added. However, Deputy Superintendent of Police Farooq Ahmad said, “The statement against which the application has been forwarded was issued in New Delhi and they are examining it and its legalities. They will accept it only after examining it.” Meanwhile, the President of the Pulwama Bar Association said if the police failed to register an FIR against the accused, they would move court and get the FIR registered through it. The NC chief had reportedly called the people of J&K “thieves” of electricity while addressing an event in New Delhi on Sunday. He, however, later refuted the statement, saying he had been misquoted by the media. It is the second time that Farooq has said he has been misquoted by the media. Earlier, his controversial statement on women had also triggered a row. |
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Two years on, women yet to get a fair deal in city buses
Srinagar, March 5 The Traffic Police, Srinagar, had earlier campaigned for reservation of women seats in 2012 and 2013 extensively. They also got the support of university and college students in the campaign. However, the initiative gradually lost its sheen which as per SP, Traffic Police, Srinagar, Haseeb Rehman is due to lack of awareness among people on reserving the first eight seats in buses for women. "It is true that the initiative has not lived up to our expectations. We expected a rigorous campaign involving people and civil society in particular to highlight this programme. However, we did not get support on the expected lines," Rehman said. He added that a massive awareness programme was held in coordination with the Law Department, Kashmir University, last year, which spoke at length on the need to keep the bus seats reserved for women. The SP, Traffic, said, "There are no particular set of laws, which give women the right to get the allotted share of seats, but the Traffic Police Department had introduced the reservation for better commuting facilities to women in and around the city." He added that a campaign to revive the reservation would start soon. "I am afraid we will not be able to do anything on Women's Day, but we will organise an event after that for the revival of the campaign," Rehman said. Women commuters say despite pasting of posters inside the buses which specifically direct men to give the first eight seats to women, nobody adheres to these directions. “When I board a bus, I find men sitting on the seats reserved for us. Usually, an argument or a brawl takes place for getting these seats. Ironically, the cops stationed at various check posts in the city hardly help and they also seem to be least aware," Shazia, a student, said. |
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Geelani returns from Delhi, detained
Srinagar, March 5 A statement issued by his party said Geelani was detained at the airport soon after he arrived in the city here. “The police detained him
(Geelani) at the airport and shifted him to his residence where he was placed under detention,” the statement said.
Geelani’s faction of the Hurriyat Conference, an amalgam of several separatist groups, condemned the detention. The 84-year-old separatist was in New Delhi for the past one month. The police did not issue any official statement about Geelani’s detention. However, the detention is in line with the state government’s policy of confining Geelani to his residence in city’s Hyderpora locality.
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Congress to cash in on administration units
Jammu, March 5 The Bill to incorporate relevant clauses of the 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act is going to empower nearly 32,000 panchayat members across the state and the Congress has devised a “well-knit strategy” to reap political benefits of this “historic decision”. “Of course the decision to empower panchayats is going to benefit the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections,” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz told The Tribune. Incorporation of the relevant clause of the 73rd amendment of Indian Constitution was a long-pending demand of the elected panchayat members and the Congress managed to get the Bill in this regard passed a day before the Election Commission announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections. “It is a historic decision in the political history of the state,” Soz said, adding that the party would definitely try to cash in on the decision. The senior leader also said the creation of new administrative units was another decision which provides an edge to the Congress over its rivals. “People all over the state have welcomed the stand taken by the Congress on the creation of new administrative units. Obviously we will take this issue to the masses during the campaigning,” he said. Congress leaders had raked up the issue of new administrative units when the party formally kicked off its election campaign on February 9 to counter the “Modi wave”. With the Congress set to contest both the Lok Sabha seats in the Jammu province as a part of its alliance with the National Conference, the party would be in a direct fight with the “faction ridden” BJP, which is entirely depending upon the “Modi wave” to sail through the elections. In the last two general elections, the Congress had won both the Lok Sabha seats in the Jammu province and the party wants to repeat its performance at any cost. “We will announce our candidates within a couple of days,” Soz said, adding that the party would launch an “aggressive campaign” in the state to counter its opponents. |
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NC MP urges Centre to restore state’s autonomy
Srinagar, March 5 Shariq represents north Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency in the Lok Sabha. “Senior leader and Member of Parliament Sharifuddin Shariq has appealed to the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy and also ensure that AFSPA is repealed as a goodwill gesture,” a statement issued by the NC said. The NC has been advocating restoration of the state’s autonomy. In recent years, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also been advocating a gradual repeal of AFSPA from parts of the state. — TNS |
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Jammu, March 5 BJP candidate for Udhampur-Doda constituency Jitendra Singh later forwarded his complaint to the Election Commission and Deputy Commissioner, Reasi. Singh said the programme took place at 1 PM, two hours after the Model Code of Conduct came into force. — PTI
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Middle schools reopen in Valley
Srinagar, March 5 The schools had closed on December 15 and were slated to open in February, but the Department of School Education later extended the winter vacations of all government and private middle schools in the Valley. The school timings in the Srinagar zone are 10am to 3pm. Children were an enthusiastic lot for having joined the school after a long vacation. With starting of schools, unit tests are likely to happen in the next 15 days. Meanwhile, city roads turned chaotic in the morning and afternoon hours as school buses added to the traffic congestion. The entire stretch of Chanapora, Bagh-i-Mehtab, Natipora, Rambagh, Iqbal Park and Jehangir Chowk was jammed in the morning hours. “Half of the city’s population who live in residential areas had to face a lot of difficulties in the wake of the traffic jams. The alternative routes have not been made available for traffic despite the promises made by the administration,” said Syed Yasmin, a commuter. |
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Retd paramilitary personnel to boycott LS polls
Jammu, March 5 Addressing a press conference, general secretary of the All J&K Central Paramilitary Force Welfare Association Darshan Kumar castigated the state and Central government for its lackadaisical approach to recognise the services of retired paramilitary personnel at par with Defence forces. "Paramilitary personnel should also be included into 'one pension, one rank' format as they are not granted facilities and other benefits by the state and Central governments as applicable to the retired Defence forces personnel," Darshan alleged. He demanded ex gratia for handicapped/medically ground Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) ex-servicemen, 20 per cent reservation for wards of the CAPF ex-servicemen in employment in government departments, provision of 15 per cent quota in railway reservation, establishment of CAPF ex-servicemen boards at the district level. Darshan Kumar said it was a matter of humiliation that CAPF widows get pension of Rs 3,500 per month, which is inadequate for a family to sustain today. "At present only Rs 300 per month are paid as medical allowance, which is inadequate when the medical bills are much higher," he said. The association has warned of launching a statewide agitation against the "injustice" done to retired paramilitary personnel by the Congress led-UPA government and called upon all the retired paramilitary personnel not to vote for any political party during the Parliamentary elections. |
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Traffic lights installed at 30 locations: Sadhotra
Jammu, March 5 He said these traffic lights were functioning properly. However, a few of them had been put on the blinker mode by the traffic police. Replying to a question by Bimla Luthra, the minister said traffic lights had also been installed at 31 locations in Srinagar. He said these traffic lights were functioning properly. However, a few of them had been put on the blinker mode by the traffic police. In reply to another question by Durga Dass, the minister said the government intended to declare Ghagwal and Rajpora towns as municipal committees and in this regard preliminary notifications had been issued, while final notification would be issued in due course of time. He said presently there was no proposal for giving the municipal committee status to Mahreen and Dayalachak villages. |
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Lack of awareness about MGNREGA in Valley
Srinagar, March 5 Only in 28 per cent of the villages, wage seekers are aware about their right to 100 days of employment under the Act, the agency said in its report for 2013-14 following its visit to 12 districts, 34 blocks and 115 villages of the Valley. “Only in nine per cent of the villages visited by the agency, workers are able to articulate their demand and seek a job under the Act, while in 65 per cent of the villages this level of awareness has not been achieved,” the report said. The scheme promises 100 days of work per year to all rural households whose elders are willing to do unskilled manual labour at the wage rates notified under the
programme. Under the MGNREGA, if employment is not provided within 15 days of the demand for employment, daily unemployment allowance in cash is to be paid. However, the national level monitoring agency after assessing the awareness level among the wage seekers about the entitlement for unemployment allowance stated that only a small percentage of people were aware of the provision. The report stated that the authorities have not made sufficient efforts to create awareness about the programme among the rural people. “It seems that sufficient efforts have not been made by the district authorities. Their effectiveness has not been satisfactory. In 65 per cent of the villages the awareness generation efforts in terms of their adequacy have been termed as poor, while in two per cent villages it has been rated as very poor. In 29 per cent villages the awareness generation efforts have been termed as good,” the report said. The agency has, meanwhile, directed the state to take up appropriate IEC (Information, Education and Communication) strategy to reach out to everyone who can get benefited from the scheme. |
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MC’s physically challenged cricketer felicitated
Srinagar, March
5 An SMC official said Khan, who is also the general secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association of Deaf, not only brought victory to the state in Deaf IPL 2014, but was also declared the man of the match. Besides, he was rewarded with a cash prize for the match, being played at Amritsar from February 24 to March 1. On his return, the player was honoured during a function held at the SMC. "It is a proud moment
for the SMC to have employees who do not give up despite all odds and participate in games," said SMC Commissioner GN Qasba on the occasion. He said such people act as a role model for all. "Despite being physically challenged, Khan has not only brought laurels to the state, but has given a message that a person should not allow any physical challenge to become a handicap in one's life," Qasba said. Khan, who has hearing and speech impairment, works as a computer operator in the SMC's city drainage civil division. |
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155 quintals of banned polythene seized
Srinagar, March 5 "Around 155 quintals of polythene and polythene bags were recently handed over to the J&K State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Srinagar, which was seized during the current financial year," said Hamid Ganai, Commercial Taxes Officer, Lowermunda check post. The check post is located near Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the Valley's only surface link to the rest of the country. He said the seized polythene was handed over to the SPCB in compliance with the orders of the J&K High Court. Stating that all efforts were being made to stop and check the illegal import of the polythene and polythene carry bags into the Valley, Ganai said some outside state traders had developed a nexus with the transporters. He said the Commercial Taxes Department during an inspection last week had found that a dealer in nexus with the transporter and the driver had hidden 57 polythene bags (weighing 25 kg each) among non-woven carry bags. "The vehicle along with the goods was seized and action under the provisions of J&K VAT Act, 2005, was taken and penalty to the tune of Rs 2,12,301 was imposed and recovered from the driver of the vehicle/owner of the goods and dealer," he added. Despite the court directive, polythene can be seen being used at many marketplaces even though the authorities have been conducting market checks. An official said District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah along with a team of officers had conducted market checks yesterday only and recovered one quintal of polythene. He said the same was destroyed on the spot. |
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Qadri takes charge of KU PR Centre
Srinagar, March 5 According to the order dated March 4, Qadri has been assigned the job of looking after the affairs of the Public Relations Centre in addition to his own duties till further orders. Meanwhile, Shafi, who was working as Assistant Registrar, Public Relations, and in charge, PRO, has been relieved from the charges of the Public Relations Centre. Qadri is a well-known broadcaster and has been associated with the electronic media for the past more than 28 years. He has been associated with Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar, as newscaster since 1985 and the All-India Radio as announcer, anchor, newsreader and editor for several years now. — TNS |
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Avalanche warning in Kashmir
Srinagar, March 5 The avalanche warning has been issued for snowbound areas of Chowkibal and Tangdhar areas (Kupwara) by the J&K State Disaster Management Authority on the basis of information provided by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment, an official spokesman said. The warning is valid for the next 24 hours. "People living in these areas have been advised to take precautionary measures," he added. Snow avalanches are common in higher reaches of Kashmir after winter months. — PTI
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Governor, CM discuss security
Jammu, March 5 The Chief Minister briefed the Governor about important matters decided in the Budget session of the legislature. The Governor stressed the need, inter alia, to ensure prompt action and effective enforcement of some Bills passed by the legislature. They also discussed issues relating to internal and external security management. |
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16 questioned in Pulwama after militant attack
Pulwama, March 5 Two policemen were killed near the Court Complex of the town when militants fired indiscriminately in the broad daylight. According to the sources, 16 people, including shopkeepers from the area where militants carried out the attack, were questioned. "They were allowed to leave after questioning," said a senior police official from the area. However, he said two of them, who also happened to be brothers, were detained for the night before they were released on Wednesday afternoon. Shopkeepers in the area had briefly suspended their business to demand immediate release of the brothers. Normal business resumed as the duo were released. The SSP, Tejinder Singh, said people were called in for regular questioning and were allowed to go. "We are investigating the case thoroughly and hopefully will be able to solve it soon," Tejinder Singh said Meanwhile, the police and CRPF conducted search operations in many parts of the area. Shops were searched and pedestrians were asked to show identity cards at many places. — OC |
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Vaishno Devi varsity VC meets Governor
Jammu, March 5 They discussed issues relating to the ensuing academic session and courses to be modified or integrated and those going to commence. Jain also discussed with the Governor the agenda of the next meeting of the Executive Council of the university, to be held at Kakryal on March 21. |
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Govt fails to start construction work on two Central varsities
Jammu, March 5 Besides, the amount released by the state government for the two universities hasn't been utilised properly so far. Responding to a query raised by Congress MLC Ravinder Sharma, Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra, on behalf of higher education minister Mohammad Akbar Lone, said for Central University, Jammu, the government had released Rs 69.37 crore, but only Rs 20 crore had been utilised so far. "For Central University, Kashmir, the state government had released Rs 20.50 crore, but only Rs 11.85 crore has been utilised so far," the minister added. Both Central universities are still in infancy. Though the state government has acquired land for both, the construction work has not started properly. Both the universities have been running from rented accommodations since the time they were established. — TNS |
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36,000 solar lights for villages
Jammu, March 5 Minister of State for Science and Technology Feroz Ahmed said so far 244 villages and 15 hamlets had been provided with solar home lighting system during the last few years. During the next financial year, 36 villages and 263 hamlets were being provided 34,483 solar home lights and 2,408 solar streetlights, he said. Besides, solar power plants were being installed in 69 district and sub-district hospitals, 107 community information centres, BDO offices and also in other educational institutions, he said. — PTI
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Tral MLA calls on Governor
Jammu, March 5 Shah informed the Governor about the implementation of important Centrally sponsored schemes in his constituency. He said much needed to be done in the tourism, education and health sectors and for setting up of industrial estates and construction of roads. The MLA submitted a memorandum to the Governor regarding grant of tehsil status to Lorgam, Community Development Block to Noorpora and niabat status to Lalpora, Hari and Meedura villages.
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Transfers in Doda police department
Doda, March 5 Inspector Pushpinder Singh, posted at the Thathri police station, will assume charge of the Doda SHO. Inspector Abdul Moomin will assume charge as the SHO, Gandoh, replacing Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashiq Hussain Malik. Inspector Rakesh Gupta will assume charge as the SHO, Dessa police station. Sub-Inspector Ravi Singh Parihar from District Police Line, Doda, will assume charge of the SHO, Thathri. Sub-Inspector Sanjay Manhas will join as the in charge officer, police station
Doda.
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Impact of climate change on food security discussed
Jammu, March 5 The event was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the theme of the symposium was “Impact of climate change on food security”. Prof JP Sharma, Dean Faculty of Agriculture,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Technology (SKUAST), Chatha, Jammu, was the chief guest. Dr Mohinder Singh, Senior Scientist and in charge, Dryland Research Substation,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Technology, Bari Brahmana, Dr Jai Kumar, Junior Scientist, Agronomy Dryland Research Substation,
SKUAST, and Dr PL Kaul from MIER were the jury members. Earlier, Dr Annie
Koul, Head of the BEd Department, MIER, delivered the welcome address. A total of 10 students from various colleges of education across Jammu city participated in the symposium. The students presented their views on the
theme. Gurpreet Kaur from the MIER College of Education clinched the first prize, while Asma
Bukhari, representing KCS College of Education for Women, secured the second position. The third prize went to Megha Sharma of the KC Gurukul College of Education. Certificates were also distributed among
the participants. |
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Special teams to check profiteering in city
Jammu, March 5 The administration has also directed civic departments to chalk out effective strategies for maintaining the rates of essential commodities, especially fruits and vegetables, LPG, sugar, milk and its products, in markets as a number of complaints regarding high rates of commodities are being received daily. The Divisional Commissioner also held a meeting with officials of different departments pertaining to effective implementation of control on price rise of essential commodities. “Market checking is needed to curb black market, hoarding and profiteering of essential commodities,” said
Shantmanu. The Divisional Commissioner directed the officials to take strict action again violators of the Essential Commodity Act and ask shopkeepers to display rate lists at prominent place of their establishment for the convenience of consumers. “Checking charging of high prices for essential commodities is a priority and stern action will be taken against the people violating the rules. Hoarding and sale of goods on the black market will never be tolerated and anyone found indulging in such a practice will be dealt with sternly,” said
Shantmanu. The Divisional Commissioner assured the members of the Consumer Welfare Association that the consumer problems pertaining to price hike of essential commodities in different areas would be checked on priority and stern action would be taken against the violators. In the absence of any legal way to determine maximum retail price
(MRP), officials said manufacturers had been determining the MRP, which included cost of production, distribution and margin of profit on their own terms, but nobody knew how the price was fixed. |
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Training workshop concludes
Jammu, March 5 Principals and co-coordinators drawn from 12 different institutions of J&K, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Assam participated in the workshop, which was inaugurated by Kapil BhallaTrilok Singh
Bist, Principal, Jodhamal Public School. Bivujit Mukhoty, programme manager, led the first session on the "Award philosophy and framework". He spoke on the importance of the four pillars of the award, ie skills, service, physical recreation and adventurous journey, and the requirements for each section of the award. The last session for the day was on the "brand guide", wherein Bivujit Mukhoty spoke on the branding guidelines in respect to the award
programme. The next day started with a review of the previous day’s activities, followed by the sessions on "Adventurous journey and risk management" mentored by Bivujit
Mukhoty. There was a session on "Residential project" wherein Kapil Bhalla detailed the project requirements for gold aspirants. The workshop concluded with the presentation of the certificates to the participants by Arati
Kuthiala, trustee of the school. Principal TS Bist informed that next year Jodhamal School would try to organise another Duke of Edinburghs Award Programme workshop in Jammu. Earlier, IAYP was known as the Duke of Edinburghs Award
Programme. Award leaders, namely Deepmala, Bhupinder Kour, Bhawna Madaan and Shallu Sharma from Jodhamal Public School, were the part of the workshop. |
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‘Samey Di Pukar’ enacted
Jammu, March 5 The play was written by Rattan Doshi and directed by Kamal Sharma in connection with the campaign for the launch of satellite Duggar Channel in Jammu to promote all languages spoken in the state like
Dogri, Goujri, Pahari, Poonchi, Muzafrabadi, Mirpuri, Bhadharwahi,
Kistwari, Punjabi and Kashmiri. The play was staged to promote the cultural heritage of the Jammu province. A large number of people watched the play and lauded the performance of artistes. Those who performed in the nukkad natak included Madan
Rangila, Uttam Singh, Archna Sharma, Neelam Gandotra, Rajinder Narang, Badshah Khan, Amrik Singh,
Ayuesh, Sunil, Indu and Surinder Goel. — TNS
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Girl students showcase culture on tour
Jammu, March 5 The girls were accompanied by two woman teachers and interacted with Chief of the Staff, Bengal Area headquarters, and other officials. The team left Uri on February 24, and visited Delhi and Lucknow before arriving in Kolkata on Monday. They visited various landmarks and tourist spots in the city. The girls surprised all by presented an impromptu group dance at Bengal Area headquarters. They will return home tomorrow. |
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Vohra discusses higher education with AMU ex-VC
Jammu, March 5 They discussed issues relating to higher education in the state and measures to be taken to promote excellence in teaching and research.
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Diabetes screening camp held for women
Jammu, March 5 The camp was inaugurated by Mamta Patange, president of the AFWWA (Local), yesterday.
The Medical Officer delivered a lecture on prevention and management of diabetes. Women were examined for diabetes and those with high blood sugar levels were advised further investigation and necessary diet control measures. Mamta Patange addressed a gathering and emphasised on the need of a healthy lifestyle. She urged all women to exercise. She said the AFWWA would continue holding such camps in the future and work towards health-related issues of all its members. |
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Drug peddler arrested in Sopore
Srinagar, March 5 "In its anti-drug drive, the police this morning arrested a man with cannabis in Sopore town," a police spokesman said. The police arrested Ghulam Hassan Hurra and recovered 420 gm of cannabis from him at the Ahad Baba crossing in north Kashmir town, the spokesman said. He said the police had received reports regarding activities of drug peddlers in Sopore and accordingly a plan of action was launched. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered. — PTI
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13 injured in road mishaps
Anantnag, March 5 Police reports said the accidents were reported from Pahalgam and Kanelwan in Anantnag district and Qazigund in Kulgam district. Reports said a Toyota Innova skidded off the road near the Nunwan base camp in
Pahalgam. Two persons travelling in it were injured and were shifted to hospital. In another incident, 10 people were injured when a Tata 407 passenger vehicle overturned at Kanelwan. The injured were taken to hospital. A Maruti Swift hit and injured a pedestrian at Sadoora in Kulgam. The police have
registered cases. The injured, as per doctors at hospitals, were said to be out of danger.
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The Lok Sabha elections in J&K are going to be held in five phases from April 10. All arrangements in this regard have been made and the Model Code of Conduct has already come into force.
Poor implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana
(RGGVY) in the state has disappointed the Comptroller and Auditor General
(CAG) of India.
Lawyers today observed a strike in all the courts, including the High Court, in protest against the state government’s alleged attempt to change the historical and heritage name of the "Rakh Bahu" (Bahu Fort) area of the city, which has many pilgrimage spots.
Buoyed by the passage of the Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act of 1989 in the Legislative Assembly, the Congress here is all out to make the empowerment of panchayats and the creation of new administrative units as its poll plank for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Srinagar, March 5
Imran Khan, a physically challenged employee of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), who had brought laurels to the state in the recent the Deaf India Premier League, was felicitated here today.
Even as the state government has put a ban on the use of polythene, 155 quintals of the banned product, which was being smuggled into the Valley, has been seized on the national highway this financial year.
"Around 155 quintals of polythene and polythene bags were recently handed over to the J&K State Pollution Control Board
(SPCB), Srinagar, which was seized during the current financial year," said Hamid
Ganai, Commercial Taxes Officer.
Vice Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Prof Sudhir K Jain called on Governor NN
Vohra, Chancellor of the university, at Raj Bhawan in Jammu today. They discussed issues relating to the ensuing academic session and courses to be modified or integrated and those going to commence.
The Lok Sabha elections in J&K are going to be held in five phases from April 10. All arrangements in this regard have been made and the Model Code of Conduct has already come into force. This was disclosed by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Umang Narula at a news conference here today.
