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Congress in dilemma over choosing Leh candidate
Mayawati to address public rally in Jammu on April 1
Jugal Kishore urges people to vote for BJP
Transfer of votes big task before coalition partners
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Rajouri unit of PDP kicks off poll campaign
Lok Sabha elections first step towards change, says PDP
‘Betrayed’, refugees form United Front
Kashmir gets lion’s share in employment schemes in 4 yrs
Now, non-migrant Pandits threaten to leave Valley
CAG detects Rs 93 lakh irregularities in Passenger Welfare Fund
Female voter strength down by 1% in J&K
Passengers stranded due to closure of Kupwara road
Poll preparedness reviewed in Ramban
Udhampur gears up for parliamentary poll
Confusion over answer sheet submission at Samba school
Cheating continues unabated in Class X, XII board exams
Admission of nine more MBBS students cancelled
Fresh snow in Valley disrupts road, air traffic
Geelani shows signs of improvement
Traders welcome de-sealing law
Pradeep Sharma assumes charge as farm varsity VC
JU receives ‘misplaced’ answer scripts through speed post after 2 months
All-woman mushaira held at Saigal Hall
BJP vows to address Valley’s concerns
Bhairon procession marks start of Holi festival
House burgled, gold ornaments stolen
Soldier ends life in Ganderbal
One killed in Sopore road accident
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Congress in dilemma over choosing Leh candidate
Srinagar, March 10 Leh is one of the three Lok Sabha seats in addition to Jammu and Udhampur, where the Congress will be fielding its candidates. According to the pre-poll alliance agreed upon by the two coalition parties, the Congress and the National Conference, each of them would be contesting three seats, with the NC contesting from Sriangar, Anantnag and Baramulla in the Kashmir valley and the Congress for the other three seats of Jammu, Udhampur and Leh. "There is a tussle on the mandate for the Leh constituency both in Leh and Kargil districts," said a senior party leader. He held that there was a demand from both the districts, which had put the party in a tight spot. Leh has sought mandate for its candidate so that the Buddhist community could be represented in Parliament, while Kargil has made a bid for its candidate as it had not been given any opportunity so far, sources added. "The Kargil Congress maintains that it has not been given any opportunity, while Leh too has been seeking nomination for its candidate," said a senior party leader. The Congress got a majority in the elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, last year. The Congress is also finding it difficult to make a selection as the BJP's candidate for the Leh seat, Thupstan Chewang, is a senior leader and a Buddhist. "With this, the Buddhist vote will be divided and that is not going to help the party," said a Congress leader. The constituency will go to the polls on May 7 in the last phase in J&K. In tight spot
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Mayawati to address public rally in Jammu on April 1
Jammu, March 10 Kashyap also announced the name of party candidates for the Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituencies. “The BSP has announced Ashok Bhagat as party candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat, while Dharampal Bhargotra will contest from Udhampur-Doda constituency,”
the BSP representative told reporters. “The BSP is taking Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir very seriously and that is the reason Mayawati is going to address a rally at Jammu on April 1,” he said. Kashyap, meanwhile, flayed the BJP prime ministerial nominee, Narendra Modi, for playing the Other Backward Category (OBC) card. “What has Narendra Modi done for the weaker sections as the Chief Minister of Gujarat?” the BSP national general secretary asked. He alleged that BJP was playing the OBC card only to fool the people of the country. On whether Ram Vilas Paswan’s alliance with the BJP will have an impact on the vote bank of the party, Kashyap said: “Udit Raj, Ram Vilas Paswan and Ramdass Athawale’s alliance with the BJP is not going to have any impact on the vote bank of the
BSP. These leaders are already exposed before the masses.” |
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Jugal Kishore urges people to vote for BJP
Jammu, March 10 Addressing a series of public meetings in Jammu city, Sharma said it was the need of the hour to strengthen the BJP to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister. He said the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre and the National Conference-Congress coalition government in the state had played havoc with the country’s polity, society and economy by pursing the policy of divide and rule and pandering to separatists and communal forces in the country. The state BJP chief said the situation at the national level and in the state had climaxed to the point that the existence of the country was at stake and pro-autonomy, pro-self-rule and independence were openly challenging the state’s accession to India. These forces have to be defeated in the larger national interest and in the interest of the people of the State, said Sharma. He was accompanied by Ashok Khajuria, MLA Jammu East, Sukhnandan Choudhary, MLA, Yudhvir Sethi and Rajesh Gupta. |
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Transfer of votes big task before coalition partners
Jammu, March 10 Although in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, both the coalition partners had won five out of the total six seats due to the grass-roots coordination among workers, this time the situation is different because during the past five and a half years, leaders of both parties have openly opposed each other on many issues. Keeping in view the differences among workers, the Congress has mooted the idea of constituting block-level coordination committees of workers of both parties to ensure the smooth transfer of votes. Sources in the Congress said the party had mooted the idea of constituting coordination committees at the grass-roots level for better coordination among workers of the two parties. “We will try for better coordination among workers of the Congress and the National Conference to ensure the victory of coalition candidates,” said spokesman for the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Ravinder Sharma. He said, “A proposal has already been formed to set up coordination committees at district and constituency levels. Leaders of both parties have already given directions to their workers to ensure the victory of coalition candidates.” Sources said during the three-day visit of Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz to twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri from March 13, all National Conference workers, including legislators, would be involved in the rallies. “In the constituencies, which are represented by National Conference MLAs, the sitting MLAs would be given the responsibility of ensuring the victory of coalition candidates,” sources said. Insiders in the Congress said a strategy in this regard would be formulated in the meeting, which would be held tomorrow under the leadership of Soz. “Soz being the chairman of the Coalition Coordination Committee would take up the proposal of forming coordination committees at the grass-roots level to his National Conference counterparts,” a source said, adding that the Congress had realised that the support of the NC was must to ensure the victory of party candidates in both the Lok Sabha seats of Jammu province. Cong needs NC help to ensure win
Out of the total six parliamentary segments, the NC and the Congress have announced to share three seats each. The Congress, which is contesting Jammu-Poonch, Udhampur-Doda and Ladakh Lok Sabha seats, requires the National Conference to transfer votes in its kitty to ensure the victory of its candidates. In these three parliamentary segments, the National Conference has stronghold in some pockets. |
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Rajouri unit of PDP kicks off poll campaign
Rajouri, March 10 Many party leaders and activists, including Choudhary Qamar Hussain, Tazeem Dar, Iqbal Shah, Khursheed Ahmed, Javed Khan, Zubair Shah, Liyaqat Choudhary and Aziz Mirza, were present at the shrine. After paying obeisance, the PDP started its poll campaign in the district and held political meetings at various villages and hamlets in Thanamandi tehsil. PDP leaders appealed to the public to vote in favour of PDP candidate Yashpal Sharma and assured them that undeveloped areas of the Pir Panjal region would be brought on the development map, if the PDP formed the government in the state. Abdul Qayoom Dar, district PDP president, exhorted upon all senior leaders, zonal and block presidents of the party to constitute booth-level committees in Rajouri district and mobilise people to vote and support the PDP candidate from the Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency, Yash Pal Sharma. Dar urged the public to vote and support the party candidate so that the party could serve the hilly and backward area. He said the report card of sitting MP Madan Lal Sharma was under scanner as under his tenure, Rajouri and Poonch were deprived of their basic rights and ignored in every development field. He said the PDP had always tried its best to serve the people of Rajouri and Poonch districts and added that the popularity and secular credentials of the party could be gauged from the fact that people from all walks of life were joining the party. |
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Lok Sabha elections first step towards change, says PDP
Srinagar, March 10 Baig said this while addressing workers from the Sonawari and Gurez Assembly segments of Bandipora district. Baig, PDP candidate for the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, said the Lok Sabha elections would be the crucial first step towards change in the system and the government in the state. “The Lok Sabha elections will in a good measure determine the future course of history in Jammu and Kashmir as it could send the NC and its exploitative structure into the dustbin of history,” he said. Baig alleged that to remain in the power, the NC had been exploiting people by giving them hollow promises for more than 60 years. “Be it in 1975 or 1996, the NC has always betrayed people and compromised their interests and self-respect for the sake of power,” he said. “They have been treating people as their slaves and it is their strategy to defame the image of Kashmir to remain relevant in certain quarters in New Delhi,” he added. PDP leaders Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Naeem Akhtar, Molvi Abid Hussain Ansari and Yasir Reshi were present. |
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‘Betrayed’, refugees form United Front
Jammu, March 10 Although no official announcement has been made, it is believed that refugees will field their own candidate for the Jammu-Poonch seat. The front was announced in a press conference by Rajiv Chuni, chairman of SOS International- an organisation for displaced persons of PoK refugees. He was accompanied by front chairman Capt Yudhvir Singh (retd), general secretary Labha Ram Gandhi, senior vice-president Khajoor Singh and chief spokesman SR Nagyal. Chuni said, "The front has been floated with an objective to keep all refugees together during the Parliament elections and teach all parties a lesson for making an attempt to befool the community time and again." He alleged that no political party was concerned about the plights of refugees, who have been suffering for the past several decades due to insensitive and indifferent treatment meted out to them by the successive governments at the Centre as well as the state. |
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Kashmir gets lion’s share in employment schemes in 4 yrs
Jammu, March 10 The level of “discrimination” with Jammu region can be gauged from the fact that the state government disbursed a total of Rs 89.44 crore as Voluntary Service Allowance (VSA) under SKEWPY from April 2010 to December 31, 2013. “Out of the total disbursement, Kashmir region was given Rs 69.04 crore, while Jammu division got Rs 20.40 crore. A total of 1.18 lakh youth were benefited in Kashmir division, while the number of youth who got benefits of the scheme in Jammu was just 43,070,” a source said. Under the VSA scheme, the state government releases Rs 600 per month in favour of matric pass candidates, while Rs 650 per month is given to Class XII pass candidates. A Class XII pass youth holding a diploma of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) get Rs 700 per month, while those having three years of diploma get Rs 850 month. The graduates and postgraduates get Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200 per month, respectively. The state government had announced a state policy on employment on December 5, 2009, to mark the 105th birth anniversary of “Sher-e-Kashmir” Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, grandfather of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and named it as “Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for the Youth”. The policy was announced to simultaneously and comprehensively address all issues related to unemployment in the state as there were more than six lakh unemployed youth in J&K at that time. Sources said a total of 13,724 youths were benefited under Jammu and Kashmir Self-Employment Scheme (JKSES) of SKEWPY across the state in the past four years. “Of all, 7,533 youth from Kashmir division were benefited under JKSES, while the number of youth from Jammu and Ladakh region was 5,722 and 439, respectively,” a source said. Under the Seed Capital Fund scheme (SCF) of SKEWPY, a total of 2,669 youth got benefits for the period. “The number of youth from Kashmir benefited was 1,802, while 769 youth from Jammu and 98 from Ladakh were benefited,” a source said. Similarly, Kashmir region also got the lion’s share in Youth Start-up Loan Scheme (YSLS) of SKEWPY. “A total of 109 youth got the benefits of YSLS between 2010 and 2014. Ironically, the number of youth belonging to Kashmir region was 70, while only 39 youth from Jammu division were benefited,” sources said. The state government claimed that it had generated employment avenues in major sectors, including automobiles, commercial floriculture, dairy farming, fashion technology, fish farming, food processing, handicrafts and poultry farming. |
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Now, non-migrant Pandits threaten to leave Valley
Srinagar, March 10 “Rehabilitation is the biggest problem faced by us. For the last 25 years, 51 internally displaced families are living in miserable condition after leaving their ancestral places to settle down on rent at different places. However, due to the apathetic attitude of the government, we too are now mulling migration,” said Chunni Lal, spokesman of the Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir (HWSK), a body that has been highlighting the plight of non-migrant Pandits. He said during a HWSK meeting held here, the members said they would hold the government responsible for their migration. Lal was referring to the promise made by the government vis-à-vis rehabilitation of 51 families in Sheikhpora, Budgam and delays in official procedures. “First of all, it took a lot of time for the police to get CID verification of 51 aspirants. Finally, the Under Secretary to the Government Revenue Department vide letter Ref/MR/46/2012 dated June 1, 2012, informed the Relief Commissioner, Jammu, regarding verification of 51 aspirants received from CID and Headquarters Police. But nearly two years on, no progress has been made,” he said. Similarly, Lal said their file regarding employment package to the non-migrants too had ‘caught dust’ in the government offices. “A Cabinet decision dated June 20, 2012, had directed the Relief Commissioner, Jammu, vide letter Ref/ MR/ 78/2003 dated June 21, 2012, and asked complete information regarding employment package for non-migrant youth. But the Relief Commissioner did not pay any heed,” he said. The HWSK has now urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to get their issue resolved. “On one hand, the government is talking about bringing back Pandits and on the other it has not been able to address those who are internally displaced and did not leave Kashmir post militancy. We urge the Chief Minister to look into the matter,” Lal said. |
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Tension grips Jammu University as police arrest student leader
Jammu, March 10 Angered over the police action, students and scholars from various departments locked the main gate of the university and disrupted the movement of visitors and vehicles on the campus, demanding immediate release of SSJAC chairman Varinder Singh Chib. One of the protesting students, Ajeet Kumar, from Law School, even poured petrol on his body threatening self-immolation if the SSJAC chairman was not released. The SSJAC has been spearheading an agitation against the alleged nepotism on the campus and dictatorial policies of the Jammu University administration for the past several days. It has been demanding immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar for allegedly encouraging nepotism and favouritism in the varsity. The trouble erupted this morning when students and scholars assembled near the Central Library of the institution and raised slogans against the university administration, accusing it of encouraging favouritism and nepotism on the campus. "There is no accountability in the university and the Vice-Chancellor has been taking unilateral decisions in violation of all norms. He is taking decisions which suit the touts of various political parties, who are associated with the Vice-Chancellor, while scholars and students have been subjected to mental harassment," Chib said. While students and scholars were holding protest, a team of the police, led by Nehru police post in charge Mohammad Iqbal, reached the venue and allegedly dragged away the SSJAC leader to the police post. According to the protesting students and scholars, the police severely thrashed Varinder Singh Chib in full public view and brutally beat him up inside the police station. Mohammad Iqbal, in charge Nehru Market police post, said the police acted on the complaint of the university authorities that Varinder Singh Chib was allegedly vitiating peaceful atmosphere on the campus. "He was also wanted in an old case. We released him on bail. Besides the university authorities have also moved a complaint against him that he was disrupting the peaceful atmosphere of the campus," Iqbal said. Later, scholars and students assembled near the main gate of the campus and locked it for more than two hours demanding immediate release of the SSJAC leader. They raised slogans against the university administration and blamed it for resorting to dictatorial policies to muffle the democratic voices of the students. "Whenever scholars or students have dared to expose the maladministration and financial irregularities in the varsity, the Vice Chancellor has always tried to muffle their voices by resorting to suppressive tactics. There has been a great alienation among the students and scholars whose future is at stake," they said. After one of the Law School students threatened self-immolation by pouring petrol on his body, the police released the SSJAC chairman. Thereafter, the Dean, Students Welfare, Professor Pankaj Shrivatsava, assured the protesting students that the administration would constitute a "negotiation committee" to address their "genuine issues". |
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JDA starts restoration of Bahu Fort wall
Jammu, March 10 The 110-foot-long wall of the ancient Bahu Fort, which collapsed on August 18, 2013, is finally being restored by the JDA, which has been assigned the restoration work of the wall as well as some more developmental work at the Bahu Fort, without waiting for the funds to be released by the state government. About 10 labourers are working under the supervision of Executive Engineer Roop Lal to restore the wall. Roop Lal said, “We have started the restoration work a few days back on the guidelines of the the Archaeology Department of the state.” “About 49 lakh will be spent on the wall and it is expected to be fully restored within four months,” he added. Roop Lal said only limestone would be used in the restoration work and it was being brought from Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district. “No concrete will be used in the restoration work of the wall,” said Roop Lal. The state Archaeological Department is facing a financial crunch, as it gets only Rs 70-80 lakh as an annual budget for all the monuments of the state. The department is already working on the Bahu Fort, Samba Fort, Reasi Fort and Rajouri Fort. No special funds have been released by the government till date, so on the request of the Archaeological Department the JDA decided to start the restoration of the wall and get the funds later. The JDA had submitted an estimate of Rs 134 lakh in December, 2013, to the Archaeological Department for the restoration of the wall and some other works at the Bahu Fort, out of which Rs 49 lakh were for the restoration of the wall. But due to lack of funds, the department sent the proposal to the state Planning Department. |
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De-silting of Jammu region canals yet to start
Jammu, March 10 Sources said the Irrigation and Flood Control Department had to pay about Rs 5 crore to different contractors who were engaged last year for the de-sliting of the Ranbir, Kathua and other minor canals, but the department paid only Rs 1.50 crore to them due to shortage of funds. Thousands of hectors of land is irrigated by canals in the southern districts of J&K, including the world famous basmati rice-growing area of RS Pura. “The cleaning process is being done by private contractors for years, but in recent years financial constraints and works allotted to blacklisted contractors has created problems. Not much consideration is being given to save the water bodies,” the sources said. Admitting that the cleaning work got delayed due to non-payment of past liabilities, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sushil Aima said the government would clear the liabilities in the coming days. “Contractors have accepted to start work from Tuesday (March 11). We hope to complete the process of de-sliting by March 20. There was some delay, but things will move now”, Aima claimed. Once considered the lifeline of the Jammu region, canals now stand testimony to the official apathy and rampant pollution. Environmentalists have been expressing sorrow that water bodies have turned into big drains and are dying a slow death, as people are using them for dumping bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes. "The water in the Ranbir canal is emitting bad odour, which is not only harmful for us, but also for the environment as it is passing through many areas of the city, before moving towards villages where it is the only source of irrigation for farmers," said Kuldeep Singh, resident of Satwari. The Ranbir canal flows in summers from Akhnoor to the Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Gajansoo, Trikuta Nagar, Satwari and other interior areas. |
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Poor drainage floods city roads
Srinagar, March 10 The worst scenario in the city was at Jehangir Chowk, Iqbal Park, Magarmal Bagh, Saraibala, Wazir Bagh, Maharaja Bazar and Gonikhan. People protested against the government for the failed drainage system. Small vehicles were seen floating in water at Jahangir Chowk and Khanyar. “A light rainfall flooded all roads in Lal Chowk. Though the government constructs roads and drains every year, when it is the actual time for drains to work, they fail. Either the government keeps deliberate fault in them to reconstruct them every year or it is their complete failure to improve facilities in the city. We could not go out today due to this problem. Now every minister will come and ask for votes but they don’t do anything on ground actually,” said Abdul Hameed, a local. Students and office going people faced a lot of inconvenience today. Students expressed disappointment as they said they couldn't reach their examination centres on time. “The usual routes that I take were all flooded today. I had to change it and I was late by 30 minutes. It was really frustrating. There is water flowing from everywhere,” said a student. However, officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) blamed electricity failure for all the mess. They said due to unavailability of electricity in the city in the early morning hours de-watering stations were defunct. “It happened in the morning as our de-watering stations in Srinagar were not working due to non-availability of electricity in some parts of Srinagar, but now they are working. We will complete the work in the next three-four hours. We have 72 de-watering stations in Srinagar and we have put them to work,” said SMC Commissioner GN Qasba. He said people throw garbage and other solid wastes into drains due to which it gets chocked, hindering the free flow of water. “People should also be blamed for the problem as they throw polythene inside drains due to which the free flow of water is restricted,” he added. Though the official said they are working to de-water the roads, there was nothing visible on ground. The scene was witnessed as a result of rainfall a day ago and light snowfall in Srinagar on Monday morning. Scenario was no better in low lying areas as roads were flooded due to water-logging. |
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After endless wait, they died without seeing their disappeared kin
Srinagar, March 10 “The parents of those who have been subjected to enforced disappearance in the state since the last 24 years have been living with the hope of seeing their children back. Since the disappearance of their loved ones, the families, particularly parents, have been struggling to know about their whereabouts,” an official handout of the APDP said. It started with the death of Mugal Massi in 2009. Since then as many as 10 parents of the victims of enforced disappearances had died, it added. According to the APDP, Hussina Begam, another member, died on October 5, 2013. Begum along with the half widow and daughter of his disappeared son struggled for 13 years to know about the whereabouts of her son. Mehtaba Begum of Karihama, Kupwara, met the similar fate. She died during her struggle to find the whereabouts of her son, Mohammad Yaqub Khan. Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, father of Shabir Hussain Bhat, a resident of Chattabal, Srinagar, died on January 7 this year. Another parent, Abdul Ahad Sofi of Daribal, Naid Kadal, Srinagar, died in 2012. Misra Begum of Boatman Colony, Bemina, also died during her struggle to know about the whereabouts of her son, Shabir Hussain Gassi, who disappeared on January 21, 2000. Hameeda Parveen, mother of Abid Hussain Dar, died in 2012. Zoona Begum, mother of Imtiyaz Ahmad Wani of Rajbagh, died in 2011. Her son disappeared on May 15, 1996. Mohammad Jamal Bhat of Kupwara died in 2012. His son Ghulam Hassan Bhat disappeared on January 25, 1992. Wali Mohammad of Hanjiwara, Baramulla, also died during his struggle to know about the whereabouts of his disappeared son. Haleema Begum of Batamaloo has recently joined the list of the parents who died waiting for their relatives. She died on February 26, 2013. The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons condoled the death of all the parents who died during their struggle to know about the whereabouts of their loved ones and pledged to take their struggle to its logical end. |
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CAG detects Rs 93 lakh irregularities in Passenger Welfare Fund
Jammu, March 10 The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report has raised question mark over the functioning of the Transport Department, claiming, “Non-crediting of amount to the Passenger Welfare Fund realised at the time of registration of commercial passenger vehicles had not been investigated by the Transport Department.” The state government in May 2008 had sanctioned creation of welfare fund and issued the Jammu and Kashmir Passenger Welfare Fund Rules-2008. The objective of the fund was to introduce welfare measures for the dependants, legal heirs of the persons killed, injured in road accidents of commercial passenger vehicles due to negligence/machinery failure/road/weather conditions. The CAG report said the Transport Department failed to achieve the target to collect Rs 7.10 crore, as was due from the owners of 51,478 commercial passenger vehicles between 2010-11 and 2012-13. “Only Rs 2.34 crore was realised from the registered vehicles, resulting in a shortfall of Rs 4.76 crore,” it said. “As against Rs 2.34 crore realised, only Rs 1.41 crore had been credited to the fund account, resulting in less credit to the extent of Rs 93 lakh,” the report added. The Passenger Welfare Fund was to be collected from the commercial passenger vehicle owners with effect from April 2010 at a rate of Rs 1,200 per annum for heavy vehicles, Rs 600 per annum for medium commercial
vehicles and Rs 240 per annum for other vehicles like taxies. The CAG further said the taxes realised and outstanding in respect of different categories of vehicles was not being monitored by the Transport Department. “The field units of the department do not have readily available information and proper system of reviewing and targeting defaulting motorists,” the report said. Wrongdoings
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Female voter strength down by 1% in J&K
The number of female voters in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections in J&K was 48.12 per cent, but this time it has come down to 47.24 per cent. The total number of electorate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections has been increased by 1.06 per cent. Though the number of female voters has gone up from 31,42,821 to 32,752,41, the ratio with respect to male voters have decreased. As per the records of the Chief Electoral Office, J&K, the total number of electorate for the 2014 parliamentary elections has gone up to 69,33,118, which comprises 36,57,877 male electorate and 32,75,241 female voters. Though 1,32,420 new female voters have got themselves registered for the coming Lok Sabha elections in the state, their ratio as compared to male voters is low as 2,69,676 new male voters were registered this time, the records suggest. As per the data released by the J&K Census Department, the sex ratio in the state has decreased from 892 females per 1,000 males in 2001 to 889 females per 1000 males in 2011. Former bureaucrat turned politician Zahida Khan said the declining sex ratio will have an obvious impact on the decreasing female electorate. “The government has put many efforts and measures to stop illegal sex determination tests, but various religious groups, media and society in general needs to play a role in improving the condition,” Zahida said. Women electorate
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Train to Katra stuck in ‘technical’ tangles
Jammu, March 10 “The CRS had conducted a three-day inspection of the Udhampur-Katra railway track from January 27 to 29 but he has not submitted his report to the Railway Board. Once the report is submitted, the Board will take a decision,” said Neeraj Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northern Railway. When asked whether the CRS had expressed concern over a bridge over the Jhajjar river, the CPRO said: “It was the prerogative of the CRS but the Board has all powers to consider his observations and implement them or over-rule them.” The official refused to give any deadline for the commissioning of the track for passenger trains but hoped that it would be thrown open soon. The Udhampur-Katra route was slated to be commissioned in October last year but it got delayed after a portion of a tunnel caved in. The train service to Katra had to be flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Jammu to inaugurate the 101st Indian Science Congress on February 3 but the Northern Railway backed out at the last moment. On January 23, a team of the Special Protection Group led by Deputy Inspector General L Dogree reviewed security and other arrangements ahead of the Prime Minister’s proposed visit for the inauguration of the Katra-Udhampur track. On December 9 last year, a special train had a successful run between Udhampur and Katra but it moved slowly covering 25 km in two and a half hours. The train to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project. It has been executed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,050 crore. The Udhampur-Katra route was to be commissioned in 2008 but it jumped deadlines due to water seepage in T1 and T3 tunnels. The new link with seven tunnels, 29 minor and nine major bridges is expected to ease pilgrim rush in Jammu city and help the pilgrims reach Katra directly. The train journey between Udhampur and Katra will, in several parts, be a ‘tunnel trip’ as about 12 km of it passes through tunnels. |
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Passengers stranded due to closure of Kupwara road
Kupwara, March 10 “We are hopeful that the district administration will make all efforts in clearing the road for traffic as soon as the weather improves,” said Liyaqat Ahmad Khan, a resident of Baghbila Karnah. A senior officer in the district administration said, “About two feet of snow has accumulated on the 80-km-long road and the authorities concerned will use snow-cutters to clear snow from the road as soon as the weather improves.” The snowfall also led to closure of roads leading to bordering Keran and Macchil areas in Kupwara district. “Snow has been cleared from all major roads in the district and traffic movement restored. Snow cutters were pressed into service in Kupwara and Handwara towns early morning and traffic was restored,” he added. Meanwhile, the snowfall continued throughout the day in Kupwara leading to slippery road conditions. Traffic jams were witnessed in Kupwara and Handwara towns as vehicles moved at a snail’s pace. |
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Poll preparedness reviewed in Ramban
Ramban, March 10 He held two successive meetings with the representatives of political parties and officials of the district at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here. The District Election Officer (DEO) reiterated that any deviation from the Model Code of Conduct shall be viewed seriously. All instructions specified in the Model Code of Conduct were read before political representatives. Various issues related to registration of left-out voters, modifications in names, electoral photo identity cards and shifting of polling stations were discussed in detail. Each representative was handed over a copy of the Model Code of Conduct. Meanwhile, the DEO also told all officials of various teams on poll duty to enforce the Model Code of Conduct. These teams include expenditure monitoring team, video surveillance team, video viewing team and media certification and monitoring team. They were told to report any discrepancy to the Election Monitoring Cell set up at the district headquarters by calling on toll free No. 18001807069 and cellphone No. 8803805786. He said out of the 1,899 left-out eligible voters who were given Form-6 yesterday, 854 belonged to the Assembly constituency 56 in Banihal, 687 to Assembly constituency 56 in Ramban and 358 to Assembly constituency Gool
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Udhampur gears up for parliamentary poll
Udhampur, March 10 Udhampur Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Yasha Mudgal told mediapersons that the district administration had made elaborate arrangements for conducting free and fair elections in the district. She added that the notification for the Udhampur-Kathua parliamentary seat would be issued on March 19, whereas the last date of filing the nominations would be March 26, followed by scrutiny of applications on March 27 and withdrawal of nominations on March 29. The election will be held on April 17 and the counting of votes will be done on May 16. She added, “The district has 2,88,555 voters, which include 1,31,640 female voters. At least 2,79,686 voters have been issues electoral photo identity cards (EPICs) in the district.” She disclosed that a toll-free complaint cell was also being set up in the district. The District Election Officer further said for the smooth conduct of the elections in the district, a total of 420 polling stations would be set up, including 31 in Reasi district. The Udhampur DEO appealed to the representatives of various
political parties to refrain from indulging in any activity which may aggravate any tension. She urged them to follow all necessary rules and regulations under the Model Code of Conduct during the campaigning and also on the poll day. |
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Confusion over answer sheet submission at Samba school
Jammu, March 10 The boy claimed that he had given his answer sheet to the teacher concerned but the school authorities alleged that he was caught running with the same. One of the exam centres has been set up at the school by the J&K Board of School Education. The matter came to the fore when after completing the scheduled time, the students started handing over their answer sheets to the invigilator. Avinash Jamwal, a student of SP Smart Higher Secondary School, while talking to The Tribune claimed that after leaving the exam centre, he received a call from the school that his answer sheet was missing. “I immediately rushed to the school and the teacher concerned told me that my answer sheet was missing,” Avinash said. “I told them that I have deposited my answer sheet but they were not ready to listen,” he said. Qadir Hussain, school chairman, refuted the claims of the student, saying he was caught by the school authorities running away with his answer sheet. “I was informed by the staff deputed at the examination centre that the boy was caught along with his answer sheet. Later, I met the principal and superintendent of the centre and directed them to ensure that such type of incidents should not happen in the future which malign the image of the institution,” said Qadir. “I have instructed them (school authorities) to install Closed-Circuit Televisions to keep a watch on the activities of the students during exams,” he said. |
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Cheating continues unabated in Class X, XII board exams
Poonch, March 10 “To check copying in Class X and XII exams, a number of inspection teams have been constituted which comprises Chief Education Officer, officials from the
District Institute of Education and Trainings (DIET), ZEO’s and J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) team,” said a board official. On complaint made by the locals regarding mass copying in the rural areas of the district, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mendhar, Ramesh Kumar paid a surprise visit to many centres and caught a few persons who were trying to send written material into examination centres and eight persons were also arrested in connection with mass copying at various examination centres. The inspection teams of the J&K Board of School Education also visited some centres and caught over 40 students red-handed. They were appearing for chemistry examination of Class XII today. “Though Section 144 has been imposed in and around all centres, official concerned seems to have failed to check the movement and presence of outside elements. This has helped examinees in copying easily,” said a teacher of a government school in the district. He said despite presence of some policemen at the main entrance of examination centres, youth carrying copying material were seen moving around various centres. “We have constituted flying squads to check copying in these examinations headed by ZEOs, but
they hardly visit the examination centres,” a source in the J&K Board of School Education, Poonch office, said. |
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Admission of nine more MBBS students cancelled
Srinagar, March 10 This has been stated by the BOPEE in its fresh status report to the High Court, which is monitoring the investigations into the MBBS scam. The MBBS exam scam involves the sale of CET-2012 question papers by former BOPEE chairman and prime accused Mushtaq Peer in lieu of Rs 60 lakh through his brokers. “The selection of (nine) students (named by the crime branch of the J&K Police) pursuing MBBS in Government Medical College, Srinagar/Jammu, is revoked and their admission in the said
college(s) is cancelled,” the BOPEE informed the High Court in the status report. The report said the principals of Government Medical College, Srinagar/Jammu, had also been requested to strike them (nine students) off the rolls of the colleges and information had also been conveyed to the University of Kashmir/Jammu for cancelling the registration of the nine students. Earlier on February 17, the BOPEE had informed the High Court that it had cancelled the selection and admission of 12 students who had secured admission into the MBBS course by fraudulent means. The number of students whose MBBS admission stands cancelled is 21 so far. 2009-11 exams under lens too
The crime branch of the J&K Police, which is investigating the conduct of Common Entrance Test-2012, has further widened its probe by including the CET in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The agency has also obtained the selection lists of these years from the BOPEE |
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Fresh snow in Valley disrupts road, air traffic
Srinagar, March 10 Residents of the Valley woke up to a white cover of snow, which had enveloped the region. Nearly three inches of snow had accumulated in the city, while more than one and a half feet was recorded in Gulmarg tourist resort and several other parts of
north Kashmir. Besides, intermittent rainfall of varying intensity continued to lash the region since yesterday. "Heavy rain and snowfall forced the authorities to briefly shut the 294-km highway," said an official of the state Traffic Department. "The highway was reopened in the afternoon after the clearance of snow," the official added. Aerial connectivity also remained disrupted as flights to the Valley's only airport were delayed, an airport official said. Mercury dropped to zero degrees Celsius last night in Srinagar, which received heavy rain and light snow. The state Meteorological Department in its forecast bulletin this morning warned that heavy rain and snow would occur at isolated places over the state during the next 48 hours till Wednesday morning. "Hailstorm accompanied by thunderstorm may also occur at isolated places in the state," the warning read. |
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8 structures damaged in fire at Anantnag
Srinagar, March 10 All the four structures were completely gutted, the spokesman for the police said. In another incident, a fire broke out at the advocate chamber on the Anantnag District Court premises. Four chambers were damaged partially, the police spokesman
said, adding that the fire is believed to have started due to electric short-circuit. |
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Geelani shows signs of improvement
Srinagar, March 10 Hurriyat Conference spokesman Ayaz Akbar added that the octogenarian was examined by a senior gastroenterologist today, who has recommended some medical tests. The leader has not been keeping well since last week. His condition had deteriorated in the last over three days after he complained of chest pain. During these days, several senior separatist leaders, including Molvi Abbas Husssain Ansari, JKLF chief Yasin Malik and Democratic Freedom Party head Shabbir Shah, visited Geelani’s Hyderpora residence to enquire about his health. Condemns killing of 80-year-old
Syed Ali Shah Geelani today condemned the killing of an 80-year-old man at Awnatipora, saying, “The killing of any unarmed persons without any valid reason is inhuman and un-Islamic.” Ghulam Muhammad Dar was shot dead allegedly by unidentified gunmen in his native village of Dogripora in the Awantipora area of Pulwama district on Saturday evening. |
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Traders welcome de-sealing law
Srinagar, March 10 KTF publicity chief Aijaz Ahmad Shahdhar on behalf of all members of the federation thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MLA Nasir Alsam Wani and Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora in this regard. The traders also urged the government that the issue be settled permanently in the larger interests of the business community. “The business establishment that were situated/ located in these complexes has suffered huge financial losses during the period of closure of their business establishments. Keeping these facts in mind, we urge banks and financial institutions to have sympathetic consideration towards these businessmen and have soft approach about interest of their business loans,” Shahdhar added. |
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Meerut university revokes suspension of 67 Valley students
Srinagar, March 10 Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Government has assured the J&K Government that the Kashmiri students will not be harassed at the university. Vice Chancellor of the SVSU Manzoor Ahmad has reportedly been invited by the J&K Government to Kashmir as a goodwill gesture. The VC had termed the behaviour of the students as disturbing and a threat to communal harmony. The students who were apprehensive about their safety have said they would consider resuming their classes at the university. “If the university authorities assure us and our families that we will be safe there, we will think about continuing our studies,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a student. He said for the last few days the media campaign had projected the students as anti-national elements and it could give rise to more hatred between the rest of the varsity students and them. “There should be no sense of alienation among us. Resentment towards us among the rest of the varsity students especially grew after the Indo-Pak cricket match. We maintain our position that we were cheering for Shahid Afridi and did not raise pro-Pakistan slogans,” Aijaz said. The 67 Kashmiri students were selected under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme started in 2012. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has deputed a special delegation to Meerut, led by National Conference leader Junaid Azim Mattu. The delegation met the university authorities and the Meerut district administration officials who assured them of the safety of the Kashmiri students and making up for the classes which the students missed. |
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Pradeep Sharma assumes charge as farm varsity VC
Jammu, March 10 Dr Pradeep Sharma is a well-known soil and water management expert and has served in the national farm universities on senior positions, such as Chief Scientist (Water Management), Dean Postgraduate Studies, Dean, Home Sciences, Dean, College of Agriculture, and as Vice Chancellor of the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. He was recently elevated as the Assistant Director-General (Education Planning, and Development), Education Division, ICAR, New Delhi. Dr Sharma has rich research experience of three decades and many of his papers have been published in reputed national and international journals. Dr Sharma is a widely travelled man and has visited more than a dozen countries in connection with his professional pursuits. |
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JU receives ‘misplaced’ answer scripts through speed post after 2 months
Jammu, March 10 Sources said the Department of Dogri received a envelope containing all 10 answer sheets of the MPhil course, which got misplaced about two months back. The university had recently lodged an FIR with the police and constituted a high-level committee to conduct a probe into the misplacing of the answer sheets. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, had removed the Head, Department of Dogri, Prof Shiv Dev Singh Manhas, from the post, but the order was kept in abeyance following the pressure of the Jammu University Teachers Association. "It was a well-planned conspiracy to tarnish the image of the Department of Dogri by some insiders. All the 10 misplaced answer sheets have been sent to the department through a speed post when the police have started grilling the officials of the department. There should be an impartial probe to expose the people who hatched the conspiracy to bring bad name to the department," the sources said. |
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All-woman mushaira held at Saigal Hall
Jammu, March 10 Those who participated in today’s mushaira included Prof Rita Jintendra, Shakunt Deepmala, Kanchan Kiran, Sharda Sahni, Darshan Kour, Avneet Kour, Gul Aksar Gul, Vijaya Thakur, Dolly Arwal and Anila Singh Chadak. The poetic compositions were in different languages, including Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri, Pahari and Hindi. The mushaira was organised in collaboration with the State Resource Centre for Women. The verses recited by poetesses received great appreciation from the audience that mostly comprised women from different walks of life. Prof Rita Jitendra conducted the proceedings of the mushaira. Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Mohammad Shafi Rather was the chief guest. |
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CRPF holds medical camp in Srinagar
Srinagar, March 10 The programme was inaugurated by Sandeep
Datta, Deputy Inspector General, Srinagar (North), CRPF. Many patients and locals attended the camp and availed free medicines and medical advises from CRPF’s medical team. Patients and locales were also offered refreshments, the spokesman said. Besides doctors, many senior officials from other battalions of the
CRPF, J&K Police, J&K state administration and other agencies were also present on the occasion. The Commandant, 161 Battalion, Satender Kumar welcomed and addressed the visiting patients and locals. |
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BJP vows to address Valley’s concerns
Srinagar, March 10 While the BJP had held a rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir Park here yesterday, a similar programme at Handwara was cancelled today due to inclement weather. Meanwhile, state vice-president and nominated candidate for the Baramulla constituency G M Mir claimed that the BJP would form a government both in the state as well as in
Centre. |
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Bhairon procession marks start of Holi festival
Rajouri, March 10 Hindus in Rajouri feel if the festival is not celebrated, bad days will befall the town and its people. They feel that by celebrating the festival they are saved from evils. The people of Rajouri city also believe that Bhairon Devta will ward off bad omens. Tight security arrangements are put in place in the city during the procession. There was communal tension during the festival some years ago which led to large-scale violence. |
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Rally held on right to vote
Poonch, March 10 The rally started from Government Higher Secondary School, Poonch, and passed through the main market before culminating at the school.
— OC |
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2 LeT militants killed in encounter Srinagar, March 10 The encounter began this morning when troops of 6 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), along with Special Operation Group (SOG) of the J&K Police, launched a search operation in Sheikh Mohalla, Malikpora Vilgam in the Handwara area. “We had specific information about the presence of two LeT militants at a hideout in Vilgam. We evacuated inmates of the house before launching the search operation. We challenged the militants and asked them to surrender, but they opened fire on the troops. Two LeT militants were killed in the encounter that ensued,” said Maqsood-ul-Zamaan, Superintendent of Police, Handwara. “They have been identified as Abu Huraira and Abu Talha-both Pakistani nationals. Two assault rifles were also found at the encounter site,” he added. Major Sandeep Kotwal of 6 RR was injured in the encounter. His condition is stated to be stable. The double-storied house of one Habibullah Sheikh where the militants were holed up was damaged in the firefight. The police said the two slain militants were part of an LeT group that infiltrated into India recently. “A group of 13 LeT militant infiltrated into India last year. They divided themselves into three groups. The group that operated in Lolab Kupwara was eliminated on February 24. Two other groups had been operating in Vilgam and Sopore areas. The Vilgam group was headed by Abu Huraira, who was killed today along with his aide,” a senior police officer said in Srinagar. This was the first major gunfight between militants and the troops in north Kashmir after the declaration of Lok Sabha poll dates. Surgical offensive
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House burgled, gold ornaments stolen
Jammu, March 10 The burglary came to light this morning when Kuldeep Sharma, a priest, and his wife, who had gone to their native village at Jandrah, returne home and found the steel cupboard open and the jewellery boxes empty According to the family, the burglars also took away a laptop and other household items by breaking open the door when there was no one in the house last night. Kuldeep Sharma had recently constructed the house in the area. The police has registered a case. |
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Soldier ends life in Ganderbal
Srinagar, March 10 “He was shifted to hospital where doctors
declared him brought dead,” said a source. Civil doctors at Ganderbal conducted a postmortem of the body. The police have registered a case and started investigation. The reason why the soldier took the extreme step was not known. This is the third fratricide case in almost two weeks. On February 27, a solider of 13 Rashtriya Rifles shot dead five of his sleeping colleagues before ending his life in Ganderbal. It was the first major fratricide incident in Kashmir in the last two years. Immediately after the incident, the Army ordered a high-level Court of Inquiry into the killings. On February 27, a Junior Commissioned Officer of a Rashtriya Rifles unit committed suicide in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Since the eruption of militancy, dozens of soldiers have committed suicide or have been killed by their colleagues. There have been many cases of fratricide and the reason is believed to be high levels of stress. |
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One killed in Sopore road accident
Srinagar, March 10 Four others were injured in the accident, the spokesman added. In south Kashmir’s Qazigund town, a cab collided with a truck resulting in injuries to three persons, including a woman. All the injured belong to Bagwanpora village of Verinag, the spokesman said. |
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Jammu, March 10