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No system in place to upgrade data on MC website in Jammu
As mercury soars, people throng Ranbir Canal
A boy jumps into the Ranbir Canal to beat the heat in Jammu on Sunday.
Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Govt schools lack water purifiers
Thousands participate in ‘Run for Fun’
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Stalemate over lawyer’s ‘illegal’ confinement continues
Farooq ups rhetoric: ‘Those who voted for Modi should drown in sea’
NC chief’s remarks sign of sheer frustration: BJP
BJP backs PDP attack on NC over ‘rigging’ in Valley
BJP state vice-president Ramesh Arora addresses a press conference in Srinagar on Sunday. Tribune photo: Amin War
Aga Mehmood rejoins National Conference
Action against Ramdev sought
Srinagar more upbeat about tourism than polls
NC: Mufti responsible for Gaw Kadal massacre
Army pays tributes to soldiers killed in Shopian
Six months of Darbar no help to Jammu people
With Modi busy, Gadkari may address election rally at Leh
Geelani’s residence declared sub-jail
Bad weather, fresh snow disrupt Leh highway clearance work
Jawans of Border Road Organisation busy clearing snow from the Zojila on the 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway. A Tribune Photograph
Quality check for only 67% state roads
Main roads being spruced up, interiors ignored in city
Experts discuss developments in medical science
DC admits to faulty drainage, unplanned infrastructure in city
Cong holds rally in support of NC
10 houses damaged in Noor Bagh fire
Eight police, one CRPF personnel hurt in accidents
Arrest of resistance leaders a political vendetta: Hurriyat
Experts discuss developments in medical science
Delhi Public School celebrates annual day
Over 3,000 kg of polythene seized
Army holds painting competition
College holds rangoli competition
College holds workshop on nutrition screening
Teachers’ forum reconstitutes ad hoc body
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No system in place to upgrade data on MC website in Jammu
Jammu, April 27 The report claimed that JMC could not deploy the staff required at requisite positions, adding that upgrade of data on the website was irregular. Forums for community engagement in the process of local governance are non-existent in Jammu. Various e-governance modules are yet to be implemented, it said. The report said: “The key functions such as water supply and urban planning are partially transferred to JMC. Due to this, there is no clarity about their role and responsibility. There is lack of proper coordination between JMC and Physical Health Engineering Department (PHED). Service delivery is affected in Jammu. Scarcity of staff has created pressure on the implementation of the projects. Trainings provided are not sufficient and junior/field level staff is not given much importance during trainings.” The report stated that under-qualified staff at the Accounts Department of JMC is affecting the efficiency. It maintained that JMC has adopted the double entry system, but not started with accrual-based accounting. The report added that property taxes are not levied in the state. Further, there is no separate budget for key services such as water supply and sewerage services. “As a result, JMC is unable to estimate the overall accounts status as against the budgetary provision. There are very limited revenue streams in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). No measures have been taken to increase the revenue of the ULB. Being a special-category state, there are several exemptions. Hence, there is very limited awareness regarding new techniques as well as methods to increase the revenue base of the ULB,” the report said. “The transmission and distribution losses of water are estimated in access to 30 per cent. As a result, the non-revenue water supply is high, thus affecting the potential revenues from water charges, leading to poor-service delivery and low-cost recovery. Since the tariffs are very low, collection efficiency and cost recovered is less. No initiative has been taken for Public Private Partnership (PPP),” the report claimed.
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As mercury soars, people throng Ranbir Canal
Jammu, April 27 Being Sunday, many locals thronged the canal, which is a lifeline of the farmers here. The canal is an important source of irrigation for farmers of the region and amajor attraction for people during the summers. There is also a small garden along the canal, which runs through the outskirts of the city, providing a picnic spot during the sweltering heat which engulfs Jammu from April to September. During evening hours, entire half-a-kilometre canal front becomes abuzz with activity. Raman, a college student, said, “You cannot find a better way to beat the heat.” As per the Meteorological Department, the maximum and minimum |
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Govt schools lack water purifiers
Jammu, April 27
Ameeta Gupta, a student’s mother, said, “Doctors strictly asked me to give my son boiled or RO water, but in school he drinks water from the tank, which makes him sick.” “Now I have bought a big water bottle for him, so that he can drink RO water only,” she added. Rakesh Sharma, a student of Class VIII at Government High school, Satwari, said, “We are drinking this water for the last so many years. Sometime some students get ill, but we have no other option.” “We get bottle from home, but that is not sufficient for the entire day,” he added. When asked about the reason for not installing a purifier in the school, Nirmala Raina, Head Master, Government Boys High School, said there was no security on the school premises. “There is a lot of interference of the locals in the school. They enter the premises after the school time and damage many things, like water coolers, taps, etc. We cannot install water purifier in this scenario,” Raina said. “The boundary wall of the school is broken and there is no security guard. Even after many requisitions, we didn’t get a security guard for the school,” she added.
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Thousands participate in ‘Run for Fun’
Jammu, April 27 Thousands of men, women and children participated in the marathon which was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police under its civic action programme. The flagging-off ceremony for different categories of the “Run for Fun” started at 5.45 am. People from different parts of the city and other parts of the Jammu division thronged the venue to participate in the marathon. More than 6,000 participants, including students from different educational institutions, sports bodies, police personnel, paramilitary personnel, Jammu Club, Press Club and senior citizens, joined the run. After flagging off the marathon, the DGP said the role of sports in physical and mental development of youth was of great importance. “It creates discipline and comradeship among the youth and sports lovers, which helps a nation to prosper in all spheres of life,” he said. The marathon culminated at the venue after passing through various routes in the city. On the culmination of the marathon, winners from all categories were awarded cash prizes and certificate of participation by the DGP, who was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. On the occasion, the DGP said the JKP had organised various sports events in the winter capital of the state under its civic action programme and the people, particularly the youth, had shown great interest in these events. Appreciating the efforts of ADGP, Armed, SM Sahai, and his team of officers for organising the event, the DGP said the officers had put great effort and ensured a large participation of people in the event. Sahai, organising secretary of the event, spoke about the aims and objectives of organising the event in Jammu city under the civic action programme of the organisation. Among others, the flagging-off ceremony and prize distribution function was attended by Special DGP, K Rajendra Kumar, ADGP, Headquarters, SP Vaid, IGP, Jammu Zone, Rajesh Kumar, IGP Armed, Jammu, PR Manhas, DIG, Jammu Range, Shakeel Ahmad Beig, DIG, IRP, Jammu, Vijay Singh Sambyal, SSP, Jammu, Atul Goel, Commandants of the IRP and armed battalions, senior police officers and prominent citizens. |
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Stalemate over lawyer’s ‘illegal’ confinement continues
Jammu, April 27 On April 16, a lawyer, Harshvardhan Gupta, was allegedly thrashed and put to illegal custody by Gandhi Nagar police. Since then, the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, had suspended its functioning in all courts in support of its demand for the suspension of police officials responsible for the incident and demanded an impartial and fair inquiry by a retired or sitting Judge in the matter. The Police Department, however, has requested the Bar association members to visit the spot and get the views of ‘independent’ witnesses, including shopkeepers and local people, but the latter has turned down the request. “We have a limited stand, that is, suspension of police officials responsible for the incident prior to an impartial inquiry by a sitting or retired Judge. Our agitation will continue and there is no scope of budging down from the demand of suspension of guilty police officials,” MK Bhardwaj, president, J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, told The Tribune. A senior police officer, who wished not to be named, said, “No breakthrough has been achieved so far and we want to solve the issue amicably”. The officer said, “Yesterday, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, had called a meeting of Bar association members, who put forth their views, but no breakthrough was achieved. We urged the Bar members to visit the spot and get the views of shopkeepers and locals, who witnessed the incident, but they were not willing to pay any heed to our request. It is not a prestige issue for us and we want to solve the issue amicably”.
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INDIA VOTES 2014 JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Srinagar, April 27 “They say those who don’t vote for Modi should go to Pakistan, (rather) those who vote for Modi should drown in sea,” Farooq said while pointing to the threats issued by BJP leader Giriraj Singh earlier this month. “Why should we go to Pakistan? This is our home, we are the owners here. We will do what we wish,” he said. He further said Kashmir would not remain with “communal” India. “India cannot become communal and if India becomes communal, Kashmir will not remain with India…Kashmiris don’t accept communal (people),” Farooq said while addressing an election rally at Khanyar here. Apart from Modi, the BJP manifesto have become electioneering issues for the National Conference. The BJP manifesto promised abrogation of Article 370, which guarantees special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Union of India. Meanwhile, replying to the allegations of “tactical rigging” by the National Conference, Farooq said: “It is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has stolen votes in the past and will continue to do so, but we will
fight them.” PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had earlier today accused the National Conference of engineering “selective poll boycott”. He also said the PDP feared that the NC would resort to “tactical rigging” in Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies. However, Farooq said people who know they were losing would use all sorts of methods to
create trouble. “But we are not afraid of them, we have faced them before, we will continue to face them in future but we are not going to be defeated,” he said. |
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NC chief’s remarks sign of sheer frustration: BJP
Jammu, April 27 The National Conference president stirred a controversy today after he reportedly said during an election rally in Srinagar that those voting for BJP prime ministerial candidate should drown in sea. “We have scant regard for such statements which are a sign of sheer frustration. The party is badly losing in all three regions of the state. The NC must see the writing on the wall that vote for Narendra Modi is vote for the nation,” said Hari Om, senior BJP leader and political adviser to state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma. Chief Electoral Officer of J&K Umang Narula was not available for comment.
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NC making desperate bid to retain Srinagar: Mufti
Srinagar, April 27 “The NC is making a desperate bid to retain Srinagar. The Election Commission should rise up to the occasion given the tremendous stakes involved. Unfortunately, open violations of the code of conduct by the NC have been overlooked,” Mufti told reporters at his Gupkar residence here. Mufti earlier alleged that boycott was “selectively enforced” in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency and that the same would happen in the Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies. The Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had recorded 28 per cent voter turnout. The senior leader questioned why stone-throwing was witnessed only in the PDP strongholds of Anantnag while polling was smooth at other places. He claimed that “fear psychosis” was created in Pulwama and Shopian to keep people away from voting. “The rigging by other means has now got a structure for execution and that is a worrying trend for the future of this place and I want to share my concern with you and all those who have a stake in the democratic system. That it has happened at the end of the NC-Congress rule is neither new nor unexpected,” Mufti said. Cautioning against a repeat of 1987 when the Congress and the NC were accused of rigging, he said: “I am deeply worried that the NC-Congress coalition has not learnt any lessons and for securing victory in elections they are still practising old tactics that have devastated this state for two and a half decades.” Mufti said the PDP feared that the NC would resort to “tactical rigging” in Srinagar and Baramulla. On NC’s allegations that the PDP had entered into a secret alliance with the BJP, Mufti said it was “below his dignity” to respond to such questions. “My record is clean…opportunism is their (NC’s) trait, not mine,” he said. The PDP patron did not come up with a direct answer when asked if his party would join the NDA if it came to power.
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BJP backs PDP attack on NC over ‘rigging’ in Valley
Srinagar, April 27 “There is some truth in the allegations levelled by the PDP against the NC,” BJP state vice-president and in charge Kashmir affairs Ramesh Arora said when asked about the PDP’s claim that the NC was engineering poll boycott. Arora condemned incidents of violence during the polls to the Anantnag constituency on April 24 and alleged “conspiracy”. “The National Conference is fully responsible for the present turmoil and wants to keep poll percentage as low as it can,” the BJP leader alleged. “The government has completely failed to discharge its constitutional obligation of giving protection to the life and property of a common man and voter should realise this game plan,” Arora told reporters here. Former BJP MP JK Jain dismissed claims that his party had entered into any “secret pact” with the PDP. He exuded confidence that the BJP would win the elections on its own and said if his party came to power it would be good news for Kashmir. “Affairs of J&K are run from New Delhi and once we come to power the affairs of the state will be run smoothly,” Jain said, adding that he was glad to see people in the Valley attending the BJP functions “freely”.He also said if voted to power, the party would ensure that justice was done in cases of human rights violations. Meanwhile, BJP candidate for the Srinagar constituency Fayaz Ahmad Bhat blamed the state government for low voter turnout in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency and appealed to the people to come out to vote.
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Aga Mehmood rejoins National Conference
Srinagar, April 27 Mehmood had earlier served as a minister in Farooq's cabinet twice before quitting the party. In the 2002 Assembly election, Mehmood contested as an Independent candidate from Budgam after the NC had refused to give him mandate from his home constituency, Budgam. However, he was defeated by a margin of 6,645 votes by his
opponent Aga Ruhullah, who contested from NC ticket.
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Jammu, April 27 Sabha president Vijay Lochan alleged that Ramdev had hurt the sentiments of the weaker sections which had faced discrimination for hundreds of years. He warned of an agitation across the country if no action was taken against Ramdev. — TNS
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Omar’s talk of ‘migrating to Pak’ defeats the idea of India
HAD Chief Minister Omar Abdullah been made aware of what his father had stated in
Provoked by the statement of an obscure man from the BJP and a former minister in Bihar, Giriraj Singh, Omar took no time to retaliate and pledge to be the perpetual critic of Modi. He said he would move to Pakistan using the cross-Line of Control (LoC) bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, which would save him the trouble of travelling to Pakistan via Delhi. So far, he has travelled to Pakistan only by Pakistan International Airlines, essentially to take part in international conferences. Giriraj had stated at a rally in Bihar that “all those who criticise Modi have no place in India, they better go to Pakistan.” Omar, wittingly or unwittingly, volunteered to do so. On October 18, 1996, nine days after Omar’s father Farooq Abdullah was sworn in as chief minister after six-and-a-half-year Central rule in Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq had told Hurriyat leaders to pack up and go to Pakistan if they continued to question the accession of Kashmir to India. The place was the banquet hall of the official residence of the chief minister in Jammu, where he was talking to media after having received an overwhelming welcome by his party workers in the winter capital city of Jammu. This remark had evoked a strong reaction from separatist leaders, but they did not leave Kashmir for Pakistan, nor volunteered to do so. They travelled to the world capitals, and also Pakistan on Indian passports. The cross-Loc bus service came almost a decade later on April 7, 2005. Seen against this backdrop, the question that pops up is what Omar wants to achieve by making such statements. Omar, as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, is an international figure. His each and every word, spoken, written or tweeted becomes news. That he responded to Giriraj’s comments was surprising by itself. His national and international profile is much higher than dozens of Girirajs put together. Inadvertently though, Omar’s words have changed the geo-strategic political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. It was rhetoric but it has an underlying meaning: Omar has made Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) across the LoC a part of Pakistan. He said he had the option of travelling by Srinagar-Muzaffarbad bus to Pakistan. This bus goes to PoK, not Pakistan. Even Pakistan doesn’t say PoK, but fondly calls it “Azad Kashmir” (Independent Kashmir). Separatists may see Omar’s statement about taking the cross-LoC bus to Pakistan as a vindication of their pro-Pakistan agenda. Omar has his own reasons to be angry with Modi and his supporters because Modi in the first place is viewed as “anti-Muslim” by him. It is again a matter of fact that Omar, who was a union minister in the NDA government (in early 2002), had sent his resignation to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to protest against the “pogrom” of Muslims in Gujarat. The resignation was rejected by Vajpayee. That gave a peep into the mind of Omar, who was deeply hurt by the anti-Muslim violence. This time round, he is trying to rally all Kashmiri Muslims behind him in the highly polarised Lok Sabha polls. Religion has started defining the voting preferences more than anything else. As an astute watcher of international relations and the global situation, Omar knows it better than others, including foreign relations experts, where Pakistan stands today. Pakistan cannot offer security to its own citizens. The terror attacks have become a norm there. Omar wants to go there, leaving his own country — a vibrant democracy of 1.2 billion people! He can strengthen the idea of India, if he so wishes. How could Omar forget that more than 600 workers of the National Conference were killed by militants since August 20, 1989. How much India has invested politically in him and his party to make them faces of Kashmir in the world is very well known to him.
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Srinagar more upbeat about tourism than polls
Srinagar, April 27 With the polls in the Srinagar constituency three days away and a sudden upsurge in both campaign rallies and violence incidents, the political atmosphere, although charged up, is deflated by lack of enthusiasm among voters. Srinagar residents are more excited about the upcoming tourism season, with tourists pouring in gradually. There is, however, no rage of inked-finger selfies among the youth here and the turmoil is the single largest factor for the same. “Why should I vote when I am not being allowed to move out freely? Since the last few nights, the police have been conducting raids in our areas and have arrested youths, fearing they may engage in stone-throwing. This also means that youths are held just on the basis of apprehension. “The state government is supporting the police in arresting youth. Wouldn’t that create further gap between mainstream politics and Kashmiri youth?” asked Junaid (24) who works at a shop in Lal Chowk, Srinagar’s commercial nerve centre. Junaid comes from the volatile downtown area of Srinagar where police have cracked down on youth who engage in stone-throwing ahead of the elections. Although there are noticeable changes in the thinking of a section of people in the Srinagar constituency, who are willing to participate in the political process, the infamous election history which the constituency has witnessed since late 1980s puts the voters on a back foot. Women voters, who constitute 47.6 per cent of the Srinagar’s voters, are interested in voting for change but do not see any potential candidate whom they could chose as their leader. Khair-un-Nisa, 21, a postgraduate student of linguistics at the University of Kashmir, said although the youth, especially women, in Srinagar were facing many issues, pinning hope on the leaders to solve their problems would be useless. “The problems of Kashmiri women are different. We are fighting against human rights atrocities, conservative and patriarchal society. I don’t think any leader in the Valley has proved capable of solving our problems. Farooq Abdullah has been elected so many times before, but has he changed anything?” she asked. Meanwhile, the election mood becomes apparent in the Jawahar Nagar locality of Srinagar where many Kargil and Ladakh residents have settled. Nazia (25) who is doing her masters in education from Government College of Education, Srinagar, and is a resident of Kargil district in the Ladakh region, says she will vote for change. “Many people from our area (Kargil and Ladakh migrants) do vote because we want better infrastructure, quality education and employment opportunities. I find the problems of Kashmiris very different. I haven’t ever voted, but I want to vote this time,” she said. Unlike rural areas of the Valley, Srinagar has had a history of low voter turnout, averaging 25 per cent in the 2009 parliamentary elections. Senior citizens say Srinagar’s development has always been sidelined, contributing to the dismal voter turnout. “I used to vote till the late 80s. But, I gradually lost interest in the process when militancy started and the political leaders only became interested in vote bank rather than the welfare of people,” said 60-year-old Muhammad Ayub Wani from the Khayyam area of Srinagar. The contest in the prestigious Srinagar constituency is mainly between National Conference patron and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party leader Tariq Ahmad
Karra.
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NC: Mufti responsible for Gaw Kadal massacre
Handwara, April 27 “Mufti was the Home Minister of India when security forces killed about 50 people in Gaw Kadal. The then Home Minister maintained a criminal silence on the grave issue, not to speak of getting the guilty policemen punished under law,” said Ramzan. The minister was addressing party supporters at Magam village in Handwara tehsil of Kupwara district today. “When the PDP was in power, people suffered immense hardships due to lack of basic amenities. The National Conference came to the rescue of people and provided them good governance. We built bridges, roads and ensured all basic facilities to the people even in remotest areas,” he said. Earlier, party supporters took out a rally from Handwara to Neelipora and Magam, in which Ramzan participated. — OC
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Army pays tributes to soldiers killed in Shopian
Jammu, April 27
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Badami Bagh cantonment in Srinagar where the soldiers of Chinar Corps paid tributes to the slain soldiers. A special ceremony was held in Delhi where Northern Command Chief Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, also the Colonel of the Rajput Regiment, paid tributes to the two soldiers on behalf of the country and the Northern Command. An official statement issued by Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta said Major Vardarajan, an outstanding soldier and an “exceptional human being, attained martyrdom on April 25 while leading in the operation against militants. He was born on April 12, 1983, and belonged to Tambram, Tamil Nadu, the statement said. “He had a passion for the forces from his childhood and was commissioned in 22nd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment on March 18, 2006, from Officers Training Academy, Chennai. He is survived by his wife Indhu Mukund and daughter Arshea (3). He had been posted to the 44 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in December 2012,” the defence spokesperson said. The defence spokesperson said Sepoy Vikram Singh belonged to Rewari in Haryana. “He was born on March 15, 1983, and enrolled into the 17th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment on October 7, 2002. He was serving in the 44 Rashtriya Rifles since December 19, 2012. Vikram is survived by his wife, Sushila, and son, Abhishek Kumar.” The spokesperson said their actions were in consonance with the Army’s current policy of undertaking operations without any collateral damage to the “Awaam”. “Having taken civilians out of the danger zone, Major Vardarajan, Vikram and their team engaged the militants. A fierce firefight ensued, resulting in the elimination of three militants,” the Army officer said. He said Major Vardarajan and Sepoy Vikram laid down their lives for national security and upheld the honour and integrity of the nation.
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Six months of Darbar no help to Jammu people
Jammu, April 27 The secretariat, commonly known as Darbar, was opened for six months in Jammu on November 4, 2013, but people of the region failed to take benefit of the availability of seat of governance in this part due to many reasons. Every year functioning of the secretariat virtually remains affected in Jammu due to the Budget session of the Legislative Assembly, but this time the session was followed by the implementation of the model code of conduct due to announcement of schedule of the Lok Sabha elections. Officially, the Darbar was opened in Jammu on November 4, 2013, but when the secretariat started functioning smoothly, the government announced Budget session and infrastructure of the seat of governance was diverted to ensure smooth functioning of the session. The stormy Budget session started on February 10, 2014, and concluded on March 4. During that period, secretariat officials utilised their services only to ensure smooth conduct of the session. As soon as the Budget session concluded, Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Umang Narula had announced the Model Code of Conduct on March 5 because the Election Commission had announced schedule for the General Election.
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With Modi busy, Gadkari may address election rally at Leh
Jammu, April 27 Sources within the BJP said the former national president would be visiting Leh on May 4. He will address a rally at Leh and also interact with some Buddhist leaders there, sources added. The state unit of the party had approached the central leadership to arrange Modi’s rally at Leh, however, its chances are very bleak as the prime ministerial nominee is pre-occupied with assignments in other parts of the country, a source said. Sources also said party’s prominent Shia face Abdul Rashid Ansari would reach Kargil on Monday. Ansari will stay in Shia-dominated Kargil for four days and try to explore possibility of getting support from some religious heads there, a source said. His visit would be followed by a tour of party’s national vice president Mukthar Abbas Naqvi. The party has also deputed senior state leaders to monitor election campaign in Ladakh. State president Jugal Kishore Sharma along with state general secretary Ashok Koul and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha state president Ravinder Raina are camping in Ladakh. Meanwhile, sensing gain in the mountainous region, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has decided to utilise all its resource to capitalise on the “favourable condition” prevailing in the cold desert to ensure the victory of BJP nominee Thupstan Chewang in the parliamentary polls on May 7. The Sangh has decided to render all possible assistance to the BJP by activating its sister organisations in the region to accelerate campaign for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat. Two senior leaders of the RSS — Vijay Kumar and Rigzin Shastri — have been assigned the job to assist the BJP in strengthening its base at grass roots level and establish connect with more and more people. Sources in the Sangh said earlier the RSS had deputed its senior leaders to the Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seats and after getting encouraging response from Ladakh, it has decided to utilise all its resources to win the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat. The experiment of deputing of RSS leaders to assist the BJP has yielded encouraging result in the Jammu region so the RSS has decided to repeat the experiment in Ladakh. For quite some time the Sangh has been successfully making inroads in the Ladakh region. Post cloudburst in the region in August 2010 the RSS took up many projects in this mountainous region to help people and the work done by the Sangh activists was now proving beneficial for the BJP, a source said. |
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Geelani’s residence declared sub-jail
Srinagar, April 27 Hurriyat spokesperson Ayaz Akbar, in a statement here yesterday, claimed that the police have formally declared Geelani’s Hyderpora residence as a sub-jail and had directed inhabitants not to move out of the house. Geelani had called for a shutdown in the Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies, going to polls on April 30 and May 7, respectively. Earlier, the separatist leader had issued a poll boycott call in Kashmir. “A top police officer came to the Hyderpora office at 9 am on Saturday and verbally ordered the restrictions that nobody should be allowed to meet Geelani Sahib,” Ayaz said while condemning the police move. The police spokesperson, however, said the J&K Police had nothing to do with it, adding that the orders in this regard were issued by the magistrate. Ayaz also claimed that Geelani is under house arrest since his return from Delhi on April 16. The Hurriyat spokesperson also claimed that other senior Hurriyat leaders, including Mohammad Ashraf Sehraie and Ghulam Mohammad Ganie, had been kept under house arrest, while other lower- rung leaders of hardline Hurriyat had been detained at different police stations and jails across the Valley. The spokesperson also said during raids in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam and other parts of Kashmir during the last 24 hours, about 200 youth and activists were rounded up by the police.
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Bad weather, fresh snow disrupt Leh highway clearance work
Jammu, April 27 The present status of snow clearance work on the 434-km road, which passes through the Zojila located at an altitude of about 12,000 ft, is that the BRO so far has set no deadline for opening of the Srinagar-Leh highway, which was closed for traffic in November last year. The Zojila, which serves as the gateway to the Ladakh region, is the fourth highest Pass in the country. “At this point of time, we can’t divulge anything as to when the road will be opened for traffic. Compared to last year, snowfall was much beyond expectations this time. Road clearance work has been disrupted many a times due to inclement weather and fresh snowfall,” Brigadier RK Sharma, Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, told The Tribune. The Beacon, a pioneer project of BRO, is responsible for snow clearance and maintenance of the Srinagar-Leh highway. Brigadier Sharma said there were three to four “notorious points” at the Zojila where avalanches danger was great. “This year, the snowfall was nearly two to three times more than the last year. It was even snowing heavily yesterday. There is still 30 to 40 feet snowfall on the Zojila and it was difficult to comment about the date of opening of the highway for traffic,” he added. He said they had started snow clearance work on February 15 last year and opened the road within 50 days, but this year the work was started in the first week of March owing to heavy snowfall and inclement weather. “Since the start of snow clearance work, we have been facing tough weather conditions due to fresh snowfall and landslides. We have redoubled our efforts, especially in view of Lok Sabha elections in Ladakh. There is still a great danger of avalanches because of soft snow at some vulnerable places,” Brigadier Sharma said. The Chief Engineer said frequent snowfall at the Zojila and danger of avalanches had always tested the strength of the jawans who were putting their lives at risk to ensure that the road opens ahead of the scheduled time. “The Beacon jawans had a narrow escape recently when they came under an avalanche,” he said, adding that they had been facing problem in tracing the road alignment because of accumulation of snow. The polling for the lone Ladakh Lok Sabha seat is scheduled to be held on May 7 and the people from Leh, especially students studying outside the Ladakh region, have been demanding that they should be either airlifted to Leh for voting or special polling booths be set up in Jammu for them in view of closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway.
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Quality check for only 67% state roads
Jammu, April 27 This has been revealed by the National-Level Monitoring (NLM) team of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). The team covered 11 districts, 25 blocks and 44 villages in the first phase, besides inspecting 14 completed roads and 30 under construction roads in the villages visited by them. The NLM had found that although the quality control laboratories were established by the contractors for 83 per cent under construction roads inspected, field laboratories were not established for the under construction roads inspected in Baramulla, Kargil and Kupwara districts. The team claimed that in spite of maintaining quality control registers by the contractors in 90 per cent of the under construction roads, there was no information on update or recording of test results in registers. Sources said during their visit to the villages, the NLM team inspected the PMGSY roads constructed therein. The NLM reported that one road each in Anantnag, Baramulla, Kargil, and Srinagar inspected by it was not of good quality. It added that potholes, cracks, depressions and settlements in the pavements were found. Sources claimed that the Ministry of Rural Development had also emphasised upon the need to establish a complaint cell under the direct charge of secretary, rural development, in the state for looking into all complaints related to the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY). "The complaint cell may either specifically deal with Indira Awaas Yojana or may cater to complaints related to other programmes/schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development," a statement from the Central ministry said. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched on December
25, 2000. It is a 100 per cent Centrally sponsored scheme, which primarily aims to provide all weather road connectivity to over 1.6 lakh eligible unconnected habitations. The works are executed by the state governments and monitored by the Ministry of Rural Development through the National Rural Roads Development Agency (NRRDA) set up for this purpose. NLM findings *
Field laboratories were not established for under construction roads inspected in Baramulla, Kargil and
Kupwara districts * In spite of maintaining quality control registers by the contractors in 90 per cent of the under construction roads, there was no information on update or recording of test results in registers *
NLM found that one road each in Anantnag, Baramulla, Kargil and Srinagar inspected by it was not of good quality. Potholes, cracks, depressions and settlements in the pavements were found *
The Ministry of Rural Development had emphasised upon the need to establish a complaint cell under the direct charge of secretary, rural development, in the state for looking into all complaints related to the Indira Awaas Yojana *
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched on December 25, 2000. It is a 100 per cent Centrally sponsored scheme, which primarily aims to provide all weather road connectivity to over 1.6 lakh eligible unconnected habitations
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Darbar move
Srinagar, April 27 The authorities concerned have started relaying the Moulana Azad road and the Gupkar road ahead of Darbar move from Jammu, winter capital of the state. The roads in Srinagar, summer capital of the state, were damaged in winters due to incessant rain and snow. Residents alleged that the government was only trying to give a cosmetic look to the heart of the city by ignoring adjoining areas. “Though the government is trying to relay roads in Lal Chowk and Gupkar, it has ignored the roads in the interiors of the city that is creating problems for the common masses,” said Muhammad Younus, a resident of Pantha Chowk. Another resident said the damaged roads have led to air pollution in the area due to dust. “We do not go out without wearing masks because there is so much of dust and pollution. If the roads are macadamised and repaired it will reduce the problem,” said another resident Talib Ahmad. Last week, the officials concerned had said they have directed the Public Works Department (Roads and Buildings) to repair and macadamise those roads immediately that have been built in the time span of last three years, but the city residents said nothing had been done on ground as yet. “The road was macadamised just before winter, but it seems the contractors had used substandard material that is why it got damaged so early. There is no check on the material being used by the contractors,” said a resident of KP Bagh, Abdul Khaliq. The residents alleged that only selected roads were being repaired in the city to give a cosmetic look to the city. “Severe winter in Kashmir is a natural phenomenon, therefore the roads should be built in accordance with the weather conditions, but the engineers do not take the weather conditions into consideration. The roads in our locality are damaged for the past one year, but no one comes to repair them. The roads should be built also in accordance with the vehicle density,” said an engineer from Nowgam, Srinagar. With Darbar shifting from Jammu, the authorities have also started painting and patching of roads in the heart of the city, including TRC, Residency Road, Maulana Azad Road and Gupkar Road, which houses the residences of most of the political party leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. |
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Experts discuss developments in medical science
Srinagar, April 27 Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman laid stress on increasing academic activities in the department so that there was dissemination of knowledge and enhancement of medical skills. A DHSK official said latest developments were discussed in the field of medical science through different presentations. “The event mostly focused on important medical diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, thyroid disorder, tuberculosis, pacemakers and interventional pulmonology. A total of eight papers were presented by the speakers,” he added. An exhibition on clinical spectrum of rare diseases was also held on the occasion. The event was attended by the Valley’s renowned physicians. Director, SKIMS, Dr Showkat Zargar was the chief guest on the occasion. — TNS
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DC admits to faulty drainage, unplanned infrastructure in city
Srinagar, April 27 The DC said 91 per cent residential buildings in Srinagar have been constructed in an unplanned manner, resulting in growth of slums, haphazard development and lack of urban infrastructure. Shah also said famous water bodies such as Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Hokersar, Aanchar and Khushalsar have been badly polluted and encroached upon by locals, which could lead to severe consequences in the future. He was speaking on the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA) for 2014-16 term in Srinagar. He said consumption of adulterated food in Kashmir had led to alarming cases of cancer patients and many other diseases. "There are reports of a large number of cancer patients in Kashmir and doctors found that the number of cases increased due to consumption of adulterated food items," he said, while speaking on the oath taking ceremony of Shah. Recently, some food products, including milk and spices, were found sub-standard and adulterated after their laboratory tests were done. "It is shocking to learn that the number of cancer patients is increasing every passing day in Kashmir due to consumption of adulterated food, which is an eye opener for all of us," he said. "Dozens of diseases would have killed many people in Srinagar had there not been Jhelum River flowing in the middle of the city, which acted as a natural drain in the absence of proper planning in the city," the DC said. Earlier, in his presidential address, Showkat Ahmad Chowdery, President, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA), said the government should ensure the welfare of hoteliers of Kashmir by framing policies for them as they play a vital role in promoting tourism in the state, which benefited a major section of society here. Chowdery said hoteliers worked as per government orders, but there were some people trying to destroy the tourism-based economy here.
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Cong holds rally in support of NC
Srinagar, April 27 JKPCC president Saifuddin Soz, while addressing the gathering, told the Congress party workers to urge the people of the city to vote for
Farooq. Soz said, “Farooq can fight the communal forces in the Lok Sabha that have been unleashed by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.” “Kashmir needs a powerful voice in the Lok Sabha and Farooq Abdullah
can fulfil that requirement. It is a good opportunity for people of the city to send him to Lok Sabha with a thumping majority,” he added. Soz said the Congress and the NC had united for the parliamentary elections only to fight the communal forces and it was also necessary for the unity and integrity of the country. Amira Kadal MLA and NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani said Farooq deserved the vote and support from Srinagar as only he could serve people’s interests. MLC and JKPCC vice-president Mohammad Muzaffar Parray, general secretary Shameema Raina and other leaders, including Abdul Gani Khan, Peer Afaq, Farooq Andrabi, Khemlata Wakhloo and Syed Ahmad, also spoke on the occasion.
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10 houses damaged in Noor Bagh fire
Srinagar, April 27 Nine wooden houses and a cemented house were completely damaged in the fire, which was later brought under control, the spokesman said. The cause of the fire was not known, the spokesman said, adding that no one was injured in the incident.
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Eight police, one CRPF personnel hurt in accidents
Srinagar, April 27 Seven policemen and one CRPF soldier were injured when a police vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Chandsuma, a police spokesman said. The incident took place when they were on the way to Baramulla town of north Kashmir from Sopore. “All injured were In another incident, a police vehicle was hit by a truck at Kachahkoot near Awantipora town when it was on the way to Srinagar from Jammu. The driver of the vehicle was injured in the accident, the spokesman said. — TNS
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Arrest of resistance leaders a political vendetta: Hurriyat
Srinagar, April 27 Meanwhile, condemning the arrests, the Hurriyat here today termed the act as political vendetta by the administration. The Anantnag parliamentary constituency in south Kashmir spread over four districts went to the polls on April 24, during which only 28 per cent turnout was recorded, with Pulwama district registering a staggering poll percentage of just 6%. "The Executive Committee of the J&K High Court Bar Association in its meeting hailed the people of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam, who abstained from casting their votes in the elections on account of election boycott call," said Bar General Secretary M Ashraf Bhat in a statement issued here, alleging that "all pulls and pressures were employed" by the government to "force" the people to vote. Ashraf said the Bar had requested the people to continue their election boycott as Srinagar and Baramulla are yet to go to the polls. Meanwhile, the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference here today condemned the arrests and detentions across the Kashmir valley. "The arrest of resistance leaders, workers, activists and the youth from across Jammu and Kashmir under the cover of elections depicts frustration of the government and smacks of political vendetta," a Hurriyat spokesman said in a statement here. "Rejection of polls by the people has angered the administration, which is now unleashing oppression resorting to arrests across cities, towns and villages," the spokesman alleged. |
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Experts discuss developments in medical science
Srinagar, April 27 Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman laid stress on increasing academic activities in the department so that there was dissemination of knowledge and enhancement of medical skills. A DHSK official said latest developments were discussed in the field of medical science through different presentations. “The event mostly focused on important medical diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, thyroid disorder, tuberculosis, pacemakers and interventional pulmonology. A total of eight papers were presented by the speakers,” he added. An exhibition on clinical spectrum of rare diseases was also held on the occasion. The event was attended by the Valley’s renowned physicians. Director, SKIMS, Dr Showkat Zargar was the chief guest on the occasion. — TNS
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Delhi Public School celebrates annual day
Jammu, April 27 School Principal DK Kotwal presented the annual report highlighting the academic, co-curricular activities, games and sports activities carried out for the 2013-14 session. The cultural bonanza commenced with yoga followed by various cultural items such as Dogri dance, a skit based on Shivaji’s life, Kashmiri Dance and Rajasthani folk dance. MP Choudhary Lal Singh in his address urged the school Principal and the staff to sensitise students about the environmental issues.
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Over 3,000 kg of polythene seized
Srinagar, April 27 SMC Commissioner GN Qasba told reporters here that during the ongoing anti polythene drive they have also acted against nearly two dozen persons who violated the law. The J&K High Court has banned manufacture, import and use of non-biodegradable polythene bags.
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Army holds painting competition
Rajouri, April 27 Students from Primary School, Ponthal, Primary School, Mithidhatra, and Middle School, Tathyali took part in the competition. They were provided drawing sheets, water colours, sketch pens and crayons by the Army unit. A senior officer of the unit said the themes of the competition were ‘water conservation’ and ‘environment conservation’. The competition was organised at Tathyali village with an aim to enhance a healthy competitive spirit and sense of creativity among schoolchildren of the remote border area. The students took part in the competition with enthusiasm and displayed their drawing and painting skills. Prizes were given to the students who stood first, second and third. Consolation prizes were given to all participants. Speaking on the occasion, Asif Hussain Chauhan, headmaster of Government Middle School, Tathyali, expressed his gratitude to the Army for organising the event. “Participation in co-curricular activities helps the students to develop their communication skills and are good for the holistic development of children,” said Chauhan.
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College holds rangoli competition
Jammu, April 27 In all, five colleges participated in the contest. The function commenced with the welcome address by college Principal Neena Sharma. She highlighted the relevance of the theme saying: “In the entire universe, we have only one heavenly body which sustains life. This life is under deep stress due to humans. Thus it becomes all the more important that we humans should take a lead in saving this planet from extinction.” Sonia Chib and Vasundara of KC Gurukul College of Education came first, while Komal and Akriti representing IECS came second. Priyanka Sharma and Raginee Sharma representing National College of Education came third.
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College holds workshop on nutrition screening
Jammu, April 27 The Postgraduate Department of Home Science of the college played an active part in the workshop. Nutritional status of about 50 girls was assessed by BMI, dietary intake and clinical examination. Nutrition counselling was also given to them. Hemla Aggarwal, Principal of the college, appreciated the efforts of the PG Department of Home Science for conducting such “meaningful” programmes. She also appreciated the display of diet charts prepared by the students. Vasanta Kohli, consultant, dietetics and therapeutic, gave a brief speech on the importance of the programme. She emphasised the importance of a balanced diet in maintaining good health. — TNS
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Teachers’ forum reconstitutes ad hoc body
Jammu, April 27 A large number of teachers from far-flung areas joined the JKTF and highlighted various demands, including stopping political interference in transfers, removal of pay anomalies in master grade, transfer policy Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers, early disposal of permission cases lying in Directorate of School Education and release of salary grants under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). Later, an adhoc body of the forum was also reconstituted. Ajit Kumar Verma was elected as its president, whereas Suresh Sawhney and Rishi Kumar were elected as vice-president and general secretary, respectively. Rajinder Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Verma and Pawan Kumar Sharma were elected as secretaries, while Dhanvir Singh and Sham Kapoor as joint secretaries. Other members of the forum included Kuldeep Sharma, Subash Chander, Janak Raj Sharma, Naresh Kumar, Mohamamd Akbar and Jamat Ali.
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With mercury touching 35°C in Jammu, people throng Ranbir Canal to take a dip in its icy waters. The temperature in the plains of the state is expected to increase a degree by each day, which is expected to reach 40°C by mid May.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah today said those who voted for BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi should “drown in sea”.
“They say those who don’t vote for Modi should go to Pakistan, (rather) those who vote for Modi should drown in sea,” Farooq said while pointing to the threats issued by BJP leader Giriraj Singh earlier this month.
The BJP today said there was “some truth” in the allegations levelled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the National Conference that it was resorting to “tactical rigging” in the Valley.
The clichéd low voter turnout in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency may see a little improvement with the participation of women and migrants from Ladakh and
Kargil. The mistrust of the voters, especially the youth, with the political leaders has not been removed. The slow pace of development works coupled with two-decades of militancy have distanced the voters from the election process.
The Army today paid tributes to Major Mukund Vardarajan and Sepoy Vikram Singh who laid down their lives while fighting militants during an encounter at Qazipathri village of Shopian district on Friday.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Badami Bagh cantonment in Srinagar where the soldiers of Chinar Corps paid tributes to the slain soldiers.
Even as the Border Road Organisation (BRO) has redoubled its efforts to clear accumulated snow from the 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway, it is turning out to be a Herculean task for the organisation to open the road ahead of elections to the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat in view of weather vagaries and danger of frequent avalanches.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today held a public rally at Alamgari Bazar in downtown Srinagar in support of National Conference (NC) candidate Farooq Abdullah.
JKPCC president Saifuddin Soz, while addressing the gathering, told the Congress party workers to urge the people of the city to vote for
Farooq. Soz said, “Farooq can fight the communal forces in the Lok Sabha that have been unleashed by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra
Modi.”
The mistrust of the voters, especially the youth, with the political leaders has not been removed. The slow pace of development works coupled with two-decades of militancy have distanced the voters from the election process.
