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Stranded passengers hold protest, demand airlift
Media asked to do fair reporting during polls
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Pressure on Azad to contest from Udhampur
It’s Mehbooba vs Mehboob in Anantnag
Congress unnerved by BJP campaign: Jitendra
Panic in Valley over Geelani’s deteriorating health
J&K failed to form long-term growth plan, says CAG
Jammu-Srinagar highway remains closed
Snowfall damages orchards
Doda, Kishtwar districts cut off for 3rd day
Trains run partially
Cong banking on Azad factor to sail through polls
BSF, Army step up watch along international border
Schools to remain closed in Udhampur
Special vehicles hired to spread Modi’s message
97 of 151 self-help groups turn defunct
Army holds medical camp at Thanamandi
No end to city’s waterlogging woes
Vehicles pass through a waterlogged road at Jehangir Chowk in Srinagar. Tribune photo: Yawar Kabli
Publish list of 21 candidates on waiting list: HC to BOPEE
Schools to reopen on March 17
Noted educationist Mehmooda Shah dead
Army organises skiing camp
State painter to take part in Jaipur art fest
Travelling on interior roads of Channi Himmat a nightmare
Dev Anand Gill felicitated
Seminar on women safety at work places organised
Dogra college holds debate on women teachers
400 youths to attend coaching camp
Soldier commits suicide in Rajouri
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Stranded passengers hold protest, demand airlift
Jammu, March 12 Protesters demanded that they should be airlifted to Kashmir like the Ladakh-bound passengers as most of them had no money. “We have been waiting here for the last 24 hours for help, but nobody has come to ensure that at least we get food. Hotel owners and restaurants are charging double from us,” said Muhammad Ashraf, a resident of Anantnag. There are nearly 200 Valley-bound passengers at the bus stand, while more than 50 belong to Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar. Due to the snowfall, which lashed the region for last two days, most of the roads, including the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Poonch-Bhaderwah-Doda are closed. Though weather has improved but still administration is not taking risk as hundreds of vehicles which are struck on the highway are being cleared. Most of the passengers alleged that they were running out of money, but the government had failed to provide them food and shelter. “For the last two days no civil official has visited us. We are not receiving any information about the traffic movement towards the Kashmir valley,” said Sohail Ahmed, a resident of Baramulla. Continuous rain and snowfall has caused havoc across the state throwing normal life out of gear. Even the Srinagar-bound flights could not operate due to bad weather leaving several areas of the state cut off from the rest of the country.
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Media asked to do fair reporting during polls
Jammu, March 12 In a day-long workshop held at the Institute of Engineers here today, Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula said the reporting and broadcasting for the upcoming elections should be free, fair and unbiased and development based on facts should be reported. "We have the challenge of curbing the practice of paid news and the print media should refrain from it. If any candidate gets involved in paid news, the expenditure would be included in the election expenditure for which the limit per candidate is Rs 70 lakh," Narula said. The Chief Electoral Officer said detailed guidelines had been issued by the Press Council of India (PCI) related to performing professional duties by journalists during elections. "News broadcasters should endeavour to inform the public in an objective manner about relevant electoral matters, political parties, candidates, campaign issues and voting process as per rules and regulations laid down by the PCI," Narula added. Speakers spoke about the role of the media in elections, model code of conduct, understanding laws dealing with media coverage, paid news and voter's education and awareness. Elaborating on the model code of conduct, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Rishpal Singh said that ministers and other political functionaries could not use government vehicles for the election campaign. "Even the Chief Minister can't use the state chopper for campaign process," Rishpal Singh replied to a question. He asked the candidates to abide by the model code of conduct. |
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Pressure on Azad to contest from Udhampur
New Delhi, March 12 In a meeting held here today to discuss the candidates for the three Lok Sabha segments which the Congress will contest in J&K in collaboration with the National Conference, the party is said to have agreed on the names of senior leader P Namgyal for the Ladakh constituency and sitting MP Madan Lal Sharma for the Jammu-Poonch seat. Although sources said the names had been cleared, a decision was yet to be announced officially. Party sources said that with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi exhorting all top leaders of the party to face elections, Azad could contest from Udhampur. The party would, however, have to sideline sitting MP Lal Singh to bring in Azad. There is belief in the party that Azad’s candidature would have a positive impact on the electoral results in the state and would aid the Congress candidate in the fray from Jammu. Some party delegations from Jammu recently met Congress general secretary and in charge of J&K Ambika Soni to demand Azad’s candidature from Udhampur. However, the Central Election Committee headed by party president Sonia Gandhi, is learnt to have kept the decision on Udhampur seat pending while having reportedly approved candidates for Ladakh and Jammu. Namgyal was a front runner from the Ladakh seat. A three-time Lok Sabha MP in 1980, 1984 and 1996, Namgyal had been fielded by the Congress in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. However, at that time Independent candidate Hasan Khan tacitly backed by the National Conference emerged victorious. This time the NC-Congress pre-poll alliance has resulted in the two sharing the six Lok Sabha seats. Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag from the Kashmir valley will be contested by the NC while the Congress will field candidates from the Udhampur-Doda and Jammu-Poonch constituencies in the Jammu division and the Ladakh seat. What remains to be seen is how the Congress will tackle its two-time sitting MP from Udhampur, Lal Singh, in case it fields Azad from the seat. State Cong banking on Azad factor To exert pressure on the high command to field Azad from Udhampur-Doda segment, all block presidents, district presidents, MLAs, MLCs and ministers from Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Reasi on Tuesday wrote a letter to the high command in this regard. These five districts fall under the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha constituency. |
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It’s Mehbooba vs Mehboob in Anantnag
Srinagar, March 12
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who is the party candidate for the Anantnag parliamentary seat, is scheduled to attend workers’ meeting in various districts of south Kashmir from March 15. Mehbooba is in direct fight with National Conference (NC) leader and sitting Member of Parliament Mehboob Beigh for this vital region. “The PDP president will begin her campaign by holding workers’ meeting in Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama on March 15, 16 and 17, respectively,” PDP leader and former finance Minister Tariq Karra said. Mehbooba, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from Anantnag, is currently in Jammu and is scheduled to arrive in the Valley on Friday to lead the party’s electoral campaign. The Anantnag parliamentary constituency has a strong presence of the PDP. Out of 16 Assembly constituencies in four districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian, 12 are represented by the PDP in the Assembly. Two Assembly constituencies are represented by the Congress and one each by the NC and the CPM. Mehbooba represents the Wachi constituency of Pulwama in the Assembly. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Mehboob Beigh had defeated PDP candidate Peer Mohammad Hussain from Anantnag. The NC and the Congress had jointly fought the last LoK Sabha elections. This time, too, the Congress has thrown its weight behind the NC candidates in the Valley and the coalition is all set to give a tough fight to the PDP in its bastion. The ruling NC has already launched its poll campaign from south Kashmir. PDP stronghold The Anantnag parliamentary constituency has a strong presence of the PDP. Out of 16 Assembly constituencies in four districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian, 12 are represented by the PDP in the Assembly |
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Congress unnerved by BJP campaign: Jitendra
Jammu, March 12 “The overwhelming support to the BJP campaign in this constituency is a compliment for the people who have given a clear signal of their support to Narendra Modi as the next Prime Minister,” said Jitendra Singh, the BJP candidate for the Udhampur-Doda seat. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Jitendra Singh said the people’s enthusiasm during the BJP campaign in Kathua, Bani, Basohli, Billawar, Hiranagar, Udhampur and Reasi in the first phase of electioneering had sounded alarm bells for the Congress leadership. Jitendra Singh said , “Wherever he has gone so far, the people have come out wholeheartedly in support of the BJP because they believe that this is the only party which can liberate them from the clutches of corruption, mis-governance and dynasty rule.” — TNS |
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Panic in Valley over Geelani’s deteriorating health
Srinagar, March 12 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified on micro-blogging site Twitter that the snapping of the communication lines in Kashmir had nothing to do with the rumours. “I know we love a good conspiracy theory but the failure of the phones has nothing to do with rumours floating around,” Omar tweeted today morning. Geelani has not been keeping well since last week. His condition deteriorated after returning from Delhi last week where he underwent a check up at a hospital. The rumours about Geelani’s health even forced the hardline Hurriyat Conference to issue statements to the local media today where it was said the ailing Hurriyat chief was stable. “He is stable and there is no need to panic,” said Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar today. The rumours started with someone writing on the Wikipedia that Geelani had died. Hurriyat leader refuses state chopper The Srinagar DC and the Budgam SSP on Wednesday visited Geelani at his residence to offer a state chopper for carrying him to Delhi, which the Hurriyat Conference rejected. The Hurriyat spokesman said the state government had no sympathy for Geelani and termed the offer a “political stunt”.
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J&K failed to form long-term growth plan, says CAG
Jammu, March 12 The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said this in its report released in the Assembly recently. The report says most of the newly created development authorities have not finalised the master plans for development of their respective areas while funds have been diverted from one scheme to another, affecting the completion of projects. It says the assets created at 12 different tourist locations by incurring an expenditure of Rs 15.55 crore were not operational due to shortage of skilled manpower. The CAG report claims that the Tourism Department had not conducted any baseline survey for identification of places to be developed as tourist destinations, circuits and instead the department had taken up development of various tourist places without ascertaining their feasibility. “No data has been maintained regarding the number of tourists who visited the new destinations at Sarthal, Basohli, Bani, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar,” the CAG says. “Promotion of tourist products and publicity campaigns were not adequate. The JKTDC (Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation) had made no efforts to increase the coverage area and exploit the potential of the transport sector to benefit from the increasing tourist inflow,” said an official source. The report claims that a system to keep watch on illegal constructions and unplanned development of areas and to grant permission for development of land or construction of buildings was not in place. Despite 71 per cent increase in tourist arrival during 2011-12 as compared to 2008-09, the occupancy levels in the JKTDC facilities increased only by 16 per cent during the period. “Out of the 38 projects sanctioned during 2008-11, only 19 projects were completed as of March 2013. Six out of the 21 schemes taken up under the 12th Finance Commission award during 2006-10 at a cost of Rs 11.30 crore had not been completed,” says the CAG report.
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Jammu-Srinagar highway remains closed
Udhampur March 12 According to reports, the traffic was not allowed to ply due to slippery road conditions at the Patnitop and Jawahar tunnel on the national highway. However, some vehicles were allowed to cross the Patnitop area. Meanwhile, many boulders slid near the Jakhani area of Udhampur district, which disrupted the traffic movement on the Jammu- Srinagar national highway. However, later they were removed by the Border Roads Organistion. “Our priority is to make sure that hundreds of vehicles which are stranded on the highway first reach their destinations. Only after that vehicles will be allowed to move first from Srinagar and then from Jammu,” said Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Hasib
Mughal.
Snowfall damages orchards
Baramulla, March 12 The snow broke twigs of apple and other fruit bearing trees in Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora, Handwara and Kupwara towns of north Kashmir. The most-affected areas include Rafiabad, Handwara, Sopore, Rohama, Kreeri, Chandkoot, Haigam, Buchoo and Tangmarg. “The snowfall broke twigs of all fruit bearing trees and damaged the plants of vegetables such as tomato, spinach and carrot in the fields. The weather has improved now, but it has caused a heavy damage to the plants and seedlings,” said Abdul Rehman Sheikh, a fruit grower from Rohama. Farmers had sown seedlings of various vegetables a few weeks before. The snowfall also caused damage to fruit orchards and vegetable seedlings in some areas of Kupwara. The affected growers appealed to the administration to compensate for the loss. “The recent snowfall caused heavy damage to vegetable plants and fruit orchards. We appeal to the horticulture department to compensate the loss,” said Muzzafar Ahmad Parray, a farmer from Handwara.
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Doda, Kishtwar districts cut off for 3rd day
Doda, March 12 Over four feet of snow has accumulated on the upper reaches of erstwhile Doda. The upper reaches are delinked from road links, particularly Dessa, Malan, Gai, Basam Gul, Galla Dhar, Gurmul Kastigarh, Allakund Peepran, Kailsh Kund and Marwah, Warwan, Dachhan, Paddar regions of Kishtwar district. Residents of these places are facing a lot of inconvenience as almost all drinking water supply lines have been damaged and they are now drinking water by melting snow. Link roads are also closed due to landslides. The Batote-Kishtwar national highway road is blocked at Korapani, Dhansal and Baggar due to landslides. “Besides, internal roads are also closed and incessant rain is hampering the restoration work,” said a senior official of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at Batote. “Fifteen machines have been pressed into service to clear the snow on the Jammu and Kashmir highway. However, three machines, including manpower, has been deployed to clear the Batote-Doda road of snow,” he said. “Multiple landslides on the Doda-Kishtwar road cause a lot of inconvenience. However, we are on the job to clear the road as early as possible,” he added. A high-level team comprising Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Dr Arun Kumar, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, BR Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu and the Chief Engineer, Roads and Buildings, Jammu, today flew to Kishtwar and Doda to review the situation. Meetings were held in both districts to review the situation. The team also assessed the damage to property and crops due to snowfall and directed the officials to provide relief to the affected people. The R&B and the GREF authorities have been directed to clear all roads. The PHE officials were asked to restore the supply of drinking water. Similarly, the CAPD officials were directed to ensure ration supply in remote areas. The committee also took stock of availability of life-saving drugs and other medicines in the district and directed the Chief Medical Officer to ensure the presence of doctors in these areas. The authorities were told to restore power supply in the town and other areas. The officers also toured the main market and the adjoining link roads of the town.
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Trains run partially
Srinagar, March 12 “The first train plied from Banihal to Budgam in the afternoon and the second train operated up to Banihal this evening,” said a railway official. The railway authorities said they had pressed a snow-cutter into service today and they were hopeful that the train services from Baramulla to Banihal would resume tomorrow. “We are hopeful that the train services will resume fully tomorrow,” the official said.
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Cong banking on Azad factor to sail through polls
Jammu, March 12 There is a feeling among cadre - from block level workers to ministers — that if the high command nominates Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad from Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, the party will be in a stronger position in other segments also. In line with the agreement with the NC, the Congress is going to contest Udhampur-Doda, Jammu-Poonch and Ladakh parliamentary seats. To exert pressure on the high command to field Azad from Udhampur-Doda segment, all block presidents, district presidents, MLAs, MLCs and ministers from Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Reasi yesterday wrote a letter to the high command in this regard. These five districts fall under the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha segment. In yesterday’s meeting of the executive committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), a majority of the speakers emphasised the Azad factor and argued that fielding the Union Health Minister would give a psychological edge to the Congress over the BJP. “A letter signed by all block presidents, district presidents, MLAs, MLCs and ministers of Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha segment was faxed to the high command,” a sitting legislator of the Congress said on condition of anonymity. The legislator, who returned from Delhi yesterday, revealed that the matter had already been discussed verbally with the high command. Congress leaders, who have been visiting Delhi to exert pressure on the high command to field Azad, maintained that sitting Lok Sabha member Choudhary Lal Singh was a staunch supporter of Azad and would not oppose his nomination from Udhampur-Doda. Azad’s influence could be utilised in the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat where the party would face a triangular contest with the BJP and the PDP, sources said. The sources said Azad could also effectively utilise the influence wielded by the National Conference due to his position. He also has strong following in the erstwhile Doda district, which is his native place. In 2006, Azad had created history by winning the Assembly election from the Bhaderwah seat by a record margin of 58,015 votes. Bhaderwah is part of Doda district. Azad had got 62,072 votes while the BJP candidate had got only 4,057 votes.
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BSF, Army step up watch along international border
Jammu, March 12 Following the September 26 terror attacks last year that left 10 persons dead and scores injured, the BSF has made some tactical changes on the international border concentrating more on rivulets and marshy land — a traditional route of infiltration for the Pakistani ultras. “We are strengthening our grid on the international border, wherever required. We have also increased the night patrolling,” said a senior BSF officer. He said the BSF had also geared up its intelligence network. “We have addressed vulnerable areas,” he added. The BSF had set up an indigenously built Riverine Integrated Surveillance and Communication System over the Tarnah river in Kathua district, he added. “The rivulets that flow into Pakistan and marshy land are being covered with more men,” he said. The officer said in the backdrop of the Lok Sabha elections, the BSF anticipated intrusion attempts from across the border in the coming days. “They (Pakistani ultras) are in camps on the other side of the border, and will try to infiltrate but we are prepared to foil their designs,” he said. The Army, which guards the LoC, is also ready to meet any eventuality. “The LoC is fully secure but, yes, there has been heightened activity in terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for sometime,” said a senior Army officer. “However, adequate measures are in place and the Army is foiling all their (ultras) attempts to infiltrate to this side,” he added. He said though there had been no perceptible change in infiltration bids, the Pakistan Army had been assisting the intruders. “Since January this year, most of the intrusion attempts were made during night and we picked up their movement on thermal imagers. They retreated on being fired at. So far this year, there has been no instance of forced intrusion bid,” he said. |
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Schools to remain closed in Udhampur
Udhampur, March 12 All schools falling in the hill areas of winter zones of the district will remain closed for three days from March 13 to March 15. The Chief Education Officer, Udhampur, was asked to ensure compliance of the order in letter
and in spirit.
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Special vehicles hired to spread Modi’s message
Jammu, March 12 The party has prepared hundreds of banners and posters of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Jugal Kishore to intensify its campaign in the region. The BJP has hired special vehicles displaying pictures of Modi and Jugal Kishore, which will play speeches of Narendra Modi to woo voters in all 20 assembly segments of the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat. The BJP leadership has realised that special emphasis must be given to Jammu district for winning the Jammu-Poonch seat. Of the total 20 assembly seats of the Jammu-Poonch segment, 11 falls under Jammu district while the remaining spread in Samba, Poonch and Rajouri districts. BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha state president Ravinder Raina toured the Raipur-Domana segment as part of the party’s campaign. Addressing a series of public meetings, Sharma said the nation required a strong leadership so it was need of the hour to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister. Intensifying campaigning The BJP has prepared
hundreds of banners and posters of party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Jugal Kishore to intensify its campaign in the region.
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97 of 151 self-help groups turn defunct
Jammu, March 12 The monitoring team covered seven districts, 11 blocks and 21 villages of the state in the first phase of the survey. The report claimed that 6 per cent of the groups functioning in these villages were not having bank accounts. “In 24 per cent SHGs only office-bearers are aware of simple banking procedures and processes. Members’ awareness on bookkeeping and record management was found weak. In 29 per cent SHGs only office-bearers were aware of bookkeeping and record management,” the survey report claimed. The report said in 86 per cent villages, the gram panchayats (GPs) were not at all involved in monitoring and supporting SHGs. Further, in 10 per cent villages, the gram panchayats were involved only to some extent in monitoring and supporting SHGs. The monitoring team suggested that the gram panchayats could play a very proactive role in monitoring the progress of the SHGs formed in their villages and can provide the much-needed support to them. It added that the same was not visible in villages. The objective of the SGSY is to bring the assisted poor families (swarozgaris) above the poverty line by ensuring appreciable increase in incomes over a period of time. This objective is to be achieved by organising the rural poor into SHGs through a process of social mobilisation, their training and capacity building and provision of income-generating assets through a mix of bank credit and government help. The SGSY has been restructured as the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to implement it in a mission mode for targeted and time-bound delivery of results. Survey report * The survey report claims that 6 per cent of the groups functioning in 21 villages don’t not have bank accounts *
In 24 per cent SHGs only office-bearers are aware of simple banking
procedures. Members’ awareness on bookkeeping and record management is found weak *
In 86 per cent villages, the gram panchayats are not at all involved in monitoring and
supporting SHGs
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Army holds medical camp at Thanamandi
Rajouri, March 12 Block Medical Officer Dr Rajiv Sharma inaugurated the camp. He said, “This noble gesture by the Army of providing medical care to the poor villagers will strengthen the bond between the local populace and the Army.” Civil dignitaries, sarpanches, numberdars and villagers were present. As part of Operation Sadbhavana, the Army also provided wheelchairs, hearing aids, blood pressure monitoring machines, glucometers and artificial limbs to the needy and poor. Army personnel and local people also donated blood. “The event was utilised by the Army to educate the locals about various diseases and their prevention. About 600 patients, men, women and children, were treated during the camp by a team of Army and civil doctors,” said a senior Army officer of the unit. People were also made aware about health, hygiene and blood check up. — OC
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No end to city’s waterlogging woes
Srinagar, March 12 “The situation was grave till yesterday, but today there is hardly a place to put ones foot anywhere without getting drenched,” said Naseer Ahmad, a pedestrian. Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Sir Syed Abad of Bemina locality, said the lanes at their colony and the adjoining ones had been completely flooded. “There is no sign of government machinery in the area. People have been left at God’s mercy as residents have to wade through nearly knee-deep ice-cold water,” he said. Even as there seems to be no end in sight to the miseries of people living in the interiors, the plight of the city’s commercial nerve centre was no different. Areas like Magarmal Bagh, Sarai Bala and Jehangir Chowk that are close to the Civil Secretariat and the High Court too are flooded. “We have not been able to open our shops for the last three days. Our businesses have already been hit due to construction work of the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover and weather conditions have worsened the situation,” said Abdul Rashid, a shopkeeper near Magarmal Chowk. While an official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said it had pressed 75 de-watering stations into action to tackle waterlogging woes, the residents are unimpressed and waiting for the weather to improve. “Even if there is a slight rainfall, this area gets flooded. We have no hope from the government and as this time we received heavy snow and rainfall, we have only pinned hope on God,” said Abdul Rashid, a local. Control room set up
in DC Office SRINAGAR: In view of immense problems being faced by the residents, the authorities have set up a control room (helpline) at the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar. “The people are informed that for any assistance and urgency, they can contact the control room on phone number 0194-2452182, 9419037336 and 9419085495,” an official said.
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MBBS exam Scam
Srinagar, March 12 The court also directed the Crime Branch, which is investigating the MBBS scam, to hone up its machinery and secure arrests of the accused persons, who have been evading arrest despite a trial court having issued warrants against them. These directions by the High Court come in the wake of cancellation of admission of 21 accused beneficiary students, who had secured their admission to the MBBS course in 2012 through fraudulent means. The MBBS exam scam involves 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 BOPEE shall publish the list of 21 candidates who have a chance to get selected for MBBS course on the strength of their merit in the wake of cancellation of selection/admission of 21 accused beneficiary
students,” a Division Bench of the High Court, which is monitoring the Crime Branch investigation, observed in its orders made available today. The court further added that the BOPEE would also have an opportunity to work out modalities for their admissions. The court also took on the Crime Branch for its lackadaisical approach in executing arrest warrants against the accused chargesheeted in the case and who have been evading arrests. “There is no reason for the Crime Branch not to make use of tools like attaching the property of the (accused) under Section 87 and 88 of the CrPC,” the court observed in its orders while directing the Crime Branch to “hone up its machinery” to secure the arrest of the accused “without any delay”. The court also asked the Crime Branch, which had sought call detail records (CDRs) of the accused, to make a request to the Telecom companies concerned for all information in connection with the investigation of the case.
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Schools to reopen on March 17
Srinagar, March 12 "All schools and colleges shall remain closed till March 15, which is Saturday and will open on March 17," Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Shailendra Kumar said. "The decision has been taken considering the difficulties being faced by people coming from the far-flung areas and also the problems faced by people of the city," the official said. The government had earlier decided to close primary and middle schools for two days on Monday and Tuesday and later extended the closure to all schools on Wednesday. However, three days of incessant snowfall, which disrupted all services in the region, forced the government to order the shutdown for the entire week. The schools in the region had reopened earlier this month after a lengthy winter vacation. Meanwhile, the Kashmir University authorities said the revised schedule of the examinations would remain same after it postponed all exams till March 13. "All scheduled examinations till March 13 remain postponed," Prof AS Bhat, Controller Examination, KU, said.
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Noted educationist Mehmooda Shah dead
Srinagar, March 12 Her death has been widely condoled in the academic circles in Kashmir. She spent most of her teaching career in Women’s College and later headed the institution during a span of about two decades between 1954 and 1974. The principal and staff of the college have expressed shock and grief over her death and recalled her contribution to the institution with focus on women’s education. Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, including its patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and president Mehbooba Mufti, have expressed grief over the death of the veteran educationist and social worker. Mehmooda Ali was also conferred with the Padma Shri Award. The chairperson, J&K Social Welfare Board, Khem Lata Wakloo also expressed grief and shock over her demise. “Her services in the field of education were unparallelled. She had dedicated her life to the cause of women’s education and had played a pivotal role in creating an awakening among women about the importance of education,” PDP leaders said in a statement.
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Army organises skiing camp
Jammu, March 12 The 15-day camp for the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and a few civilians
began on February 23 in Kishtwar. It included skiing training, snow-craft competitions, slalom and snow volleyball for the participants. The aim of ogranising the camp was to showcase the Sinthan Maidan as a potential skiing destination. |
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State painter to take part in Jaipur art fest
Jammu, March 12 Gandhi has already participated in 30 camps, including national and international, in different parts of the country. He has the distinction of holding 15 solo shows and more than 30 group shows in India. A few were conducted abroad also. — TNS
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Travelling on interior roads of Channi Himmat a nightmare
Jammu, March 12 On several roads a number of potholes, some measuring about 2 feet in diameter, could be found, which makes it near impossible for the vehicles to travel. Most of the two-wheeler riders are scared of using the roads to reach their respective homes or offices. “Heavy vehicles pass through the area with much difficulty. The Matadoor service is like a roller-coaster ride for people,” said Gulahsn Kumar, a resident. At times vehicles suffer major damages as they get struck on the road, which is a pile of dust and stones. “Even the local MLA, who makes high claims of bringing revolution in the entire constituency, discriminated with the people living in some pockets, which houses the population of people who do not have any political influence or direct contact with the MLA,” said Suraj Sharma, another resident.
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Dev Anand Gill felicitated
Jammu, March 12 Speaking on the occasion, Gill said owing to the support of the employees' union and social workers, he was able get into the NMCM. He asserted that he would make all efforts that would benefit the minorities, particularly Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes, in the state. Gill said a total of 72 members were nominated as NMCM members across the country, out of which two were from J&K. The employees also highlighted their problems, which included delay in issuance of identity cards, uniforms, shortage of staff, etc, to him. Gill assured them that he would take up all their demands with officials concerned for early redressal. The function was also attended by Tarsem Hans, Shankar Kumar, Amar Momen, Yash Pal, Hardev Singh, Ajit Gill, Bharat Hans, Sanju, Sushil Gill, Bittu, Rash Pal, Lucky, Pala Massi, Chaman Lal Mattoo, Gurmaj, Gagi Momen and Salone Gill. — TNS
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Seminar on women safety at work places organised
Jammu, March 12 The keynote address was delivered by Prof Poonam Dhawan, Director, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, who gave an overview of the issues related to the work environment at the global level and the issues of sexual harassment. "The problems not only need to be highlighted, but also to be managed. Institutional systems should be put in place so that women can feel safe at work places," Prof Dhawan said. Savita Nayyar spoke on "Vishakha judgment and developments after Vishakha judgment." She provided legal perspective to the issue of safety of women. She also gave an elaborate exposition of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013. A panel discussion was also held which was moderated by Prof Abha Chauhan from the Department of Sociology, University of Jammu. The panelists included Nighat Shafi Pandit, Prof VK Kapoor and Ellora Puri. The seminar was attended by members of the IIPA as well as officials designated by 21 government departments.
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Dogra college holds debate on women teachers
Jammu, March 12 Twelve students participated in the competition and expressed their views regarding the importance of women teachers for the betterment of the society in general and of nation in particular. The panel of judges was comprised of Prerna Nanda, Indu Puri and Sumer Singh, senior lecturers of the college. Prof BD Damral, Director, Academics, and Principal, Dogra College of Education, in his address highlighted the theme for Woman’s Day-2014, “Inspiring change”. Shefali Sharma, Vice Principal, Dogra College of Education, highlighted the role of women and said women had greatly contributed to the development of the society. In the debate competition, Ankita Sharma bagged the first position, while Phool Varsha and Layaqat Ali stood second and third, respectively. The consolation prize was bagged by Sushil Kumar. A vote of thanks was moved by Poonam Gupta, convener, Population Club of the college.
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400 youths to attend coaching camp
Jammu, March 12 This was revealed by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed, SM Sahai today, while chairing a high-level meeting of officials to discuss various arrangements for the week-long promotional coaching camp. It was attended by senior police officers. Sahai said the event was being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police under its Civic Action Programme. He said under-19 boys, drawn from various educational institutions of backward areas of the state, would participate in the camp. While discussing the arrangements, Sahai sought reports from different committees constituted for making arrangements for the event. It was informed that the arrangements with regard to venues for different games like volleyball, football, basketball, handball and kabaddi, accommodation, transport, security, etc, have been made for the smooth conduct of the week-long event. Sahai asked the organisers to coordinate for the smooth conduct of the week-long event
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Soldier commits suicide in Rajouri
Rajouri, March 12 Sources said the soldier took the step after he had a long talk on his mobile phone reportedly with a family member. The police said the deceased had been identified as Sepoy Ranjit PM, a resident of Thottachad, Kottayam district in Kerala. The police said when the Sepoy didn’t report on duty about 7 am, a colleague went inside his barrack to check on him where he found him hanging from a fan. The matter was reported to senior officers who rushed to the barrack. The Nowshera police was informed and a police party headed by Station House Officer (SHO) rushed to the unit and brought the body to a hospital for autopsy after legal formalities. The police have started inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC to know the reason behind the soldier’s suicide. “The preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased had a long talk on mobile phone. The police will look into the call details and the medical report (of the soldier) before questioning anybody,” said the SHO. Several such cases have taken place in Rajouri and Poonch districts in the past few months. The reasons for taking such extreme steps are domestic problems, long duty hours in hostile conditions and delay or denial in sanctioning leave.
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With the Jammu-Srinagar national highway remaining closed for the vehicular movement for the second consecutive day, hundreds of stranded passengers today held a protest against the administration at the bus stand.
Pressure is mounting on Union Health Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest Lok Sabha elections from the Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency. The party’s apex poll panel has kept its decision pending as it is awaiting Azad’s consent.
The 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for the third day today. Heavy as well as light motor vehicles remained stranded along the national
highway. According to reports, the traffic was not allowed to ply due to slippery road conditions at the Patnitop and Jawahar tunnel on the national highway. However, some vehicles were allowed to cross the Patnitop area.
Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Thathri, Gondho Bhalessa and various other places of Chenab region remained cut off for the third consecutive day today in the wake of heavy snowfall and rain.
Over four feet of snow has accumulated on the upper reaches of erstwhile Doda. The upper reaches are delinked from road links, particularly
Dessa, Malan, Gai, Basam Gul, Galla Dhar, Gurmul Kastigarh, Allakund Peepran, Kailsh Kund and
Marwah, Warwan, Dachhan, Paddar regions of Kishtwar district.
With Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seats going to the polls on April 10 and April 17, respectively, the BSF and the Army are on a high alert along the 198-km international border and the 744-km Line of Control
(LoC). Following the September 26 terror attacks last year that left 10 persons dead and scores injured, the BSF has made some tactical changes on the international border concentrating more on rivulets and marshy land — a traditional route of infiltration for the Pakistani ultras.
BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma, who is the party candidate for the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat, has started village-level meetings to ensure coordination between party workers and other affiliated
organisations. The party has prepared hundreds of banners and posters of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Jugal Kishore to intensify its campaign in the region.
With each passing day, waterlogging woes are getting worse for the residents of the summer capital. Thick layer of snow that had accumulated over the last three days started to melt today after bright sunshine in the afternoon, turning the city into a virtual lake. Pedestrians were found complaining the most.
