Srinagar, May 27
Mainstream political parties in Kashmir have welcomed the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif today and termed it a good beginning, but the separatist camp in Kashmir has interpreted the meeting differently.

While the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference termed the meeting as a “meaningless exercise” and the absence and omission of the K-word from public statements as “unfortunate”, the moderate Hurriyat was satisfied by the fact that both countries had agreed to ‘formalise’ the bilateral engagement at the foreign secretary level.

Carrying a “message of peace”, Sharif, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday afternoon, today held a detailed bilateral meeting with Modi at Hyderabad House, which stretched well past the stipulated time.

However, in the public statements issued by both sides at the end of the meeting there was no specific mention of “Kashmir”. While Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh in her statement said India’s position on Kashmir was well known, Sharif in his brief public statement missed the Kashmir word altogether.

Welcoming the Modi-Sharif meeting, the ruling National Conference hoped both India and Pakistan would begin meaningful talks on all outstanding issues, particularly the Kashmir issue.

National Conference general secretary Shiekh Mustafa Kamal in a statement here said that both India and Pakistan should start a meaningful dialogue over Kashmir while keeping in view the aspirations of Kashmiri people.

“However, in any result-oriented and meaningful talks, the participation of all stakeholders from J&K becomes necessary”, Kamal said while adding that the direct fallout of tensions and sour relations between the two nations is borne by the people of J&K.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while welcoming the meeting, termed the engagement between the two heads as a good beginning of a long journey.

“Though nobody expected any miracles in the first meet, but positive notes struck by Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif during the meeting today has added great value to this engagement,” PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar told The Tribune.

He said there was no other way for both neighbours than talking and engaging.

Hailing the attendance of the SAARC heads at the swearing-in of Modi, the Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN), headed by Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, has termed the meeting between Modi and Sharif a ‘good beginning’ for the South Asian region.

The party said the people of J&K had high hopes that a result-oriented dialogue would start between the two countries for the betterment of the people of the state and the country.

Meanwhile, Ayaz Akbar, spokesman of the Syed Ali Geelani-led hardline Hurriyat, said: “The outcome of the meetings between the two leaders is unfortunate. The absence of Kashmir from the public statements indicates that Kashmir has not been discussed. Rather, we will call this meeting just a ritual and a meaningless exercise.”

Asked if the Kashmir issue had been sidelined, Ayaz said: “Any Pakistani Prime Minister cannot afford to sideline the Kashmir issue from his engagements with India given the aspirations of Kashmiri people and the position of the Pakistani army over it.”

“Minus Kashmir, any dialogue or engagement between India and Pakistan is meaningless and a fruitless exercise,” he added.

"It is matter of satisfaction that both the countries have decided and agreed to formalise the dialogue process at the foreign secretary level”, chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told The Tribune

“No doubt Kashmir was not mentioned in the public statements, but I am sure that Kashmir continues to be one of the important issues in the agenda between India and Pakistan. And I am also sure that both the leaders must have discussed it in their meeting today,” Mirwaiz said while reading the missing K-word from the public statement as a matter of “caution” by the new government led by Modi and on part of the Pakistan Government.

Jammu, May 27
As scenes of Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony unfolded on TV screens, Jammu and Kashmir was more keen on seeing who got the important portfolios of Finance, Defence and Home, crucial for this financially starved sensitive state having borders with China and Pakistan.

Arun Jaitley, who got the portfolios of Finance and Defence in the new government, and Rajnath Singh, who would be in charge of the Home Ministry, were expected to play a critical role in shaping the policy of the Narendra Modi government toward Jammu and Kashmir.

Jaitley, married to Sangeeta, daughter of a veteran Jammu politician, late Girdhari Lal Dogra, is not new to the state. He had been visiting the state often. He was in charge of Jammu and Kashmir affairs for a number of years and knows party workers and leaders by their first names. He has good relations with leaders of other parties.

The buzz here is that Jaitley is a charming person and understands Jammu and Kashmir and its needs. The people are hoping that the state benefits from his becoming the Finance Minister.

The state is facing a financial crunch as its Plan is yet to be finalised. It has a deeply nurtured feeling that the state's waters are going waste and the Indus Water Treaty has been discriminatory against it.

The 1960 World Bank brokered treaty between India and Pakistan allows Pakistan to monitor the usage of waters of its three rivers, the Jhelum, the Chenab and the Indus, while India has full control over three rivers, the Sutlej, the Beas and 
the Ravi.

Jammu and Kashmir has been asking for compensation on this count and seeking transfer of hydroelectric projects. This demand is reflected in reports of the working groups that were constituted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2006.

As Finance Minister, Jaitley will have to take care of special needs of this mountainous state. Jammu and Kashmir has a limited working season because of the extreme weather conditions. Many mountainous and remote areas are inaccessible for six months a year in all three regions.

Regular intrusions of Chinese troops along the 646-km Line of Actual Control in Ladakh have evoked worries in the defence establishment, and so have recurring ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops from across the 744-km Line of Control with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the 198-km international border.

"All these matters are of serious concern which the new Defence Minister will have to take care of," observed a senior Army officer on the condition of anonymity.

New Home Minister Rajnath Singh has a role to play in Jammu and Kashmir, where the internal situation is yet to stabilise because of the unending series of militant attacks and fierce encounters which, at times, last for days together.

One thing is certain that given the situation in the state, neither Jaitley nor Rajnath Singh will brook any suggestion of revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, given the pressure of the Army and the BJP's stand on the issue.

Rajnath Singh will have to address the issue of rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, who have been living outside their homes and hearths in the Valley for almost 25 years. He will have to ensure that there is a unified approach in tackling militancy in the state.

As a whole, the new government will have to work toward ending alienation of the people of Kashmir and balance it with equal development of all three regions.

Srinagar, May 27
The BJP failed to win any seat in Kashmir, but there is no let up in the celebrations at its party office here.

Party leaders and workers were seen huddled together watching the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony last evening.

Sweets were distributed and firecrackers burst as Modi assumed office today.

Modi’s meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, raised hopes among the mainstream and the separatist leaders that the Kashmir issue would be addressed.

Local leaders of the BJP are also hopeful that the new central government will make announcements related to development for the people of the state.

Media in charge of the BJP for Kashmir Altaf Thakur, who returned from New Delhi today after meeting senior party leaders, said the development of J&K was among the top priorities of the government.

He said the new ministers had assured him that special packages would be announced for the state.

“We are hopeful that the prime minister will pay attention to the problems of J&K, especially the problems of the Kashmiri people, for whom the Congress and the National Conference did nothing. We are hopeful that a special package for the unemployed youth in Kashmir will be announced soon,” Thakur said.

Meanwhile, the celebrations redoubled as Jitendra Singh, who defeated Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad from the Udhampur constituency, assumed charge as the minister of state for the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

The local party leaders are expecting that top BJP leaders will visit Kashmir, beginning with Jitendra Singh’s visit on May 31.

The state media in charge of the BJP said the expected presence of BJP top brass would go a long way in strengthening the party base and boost the chances of a good show in the Assembly elections later this year in the Valley.

Even as the BJP won only 15,745 votes out of around 11.5 lakh polled in the parliamentary elections, the silver lining for the party was that it was able to hold its campaign-related events out in the open with decent participation of people, something that was unimaginable during the peak of militancy in the Kashmir valley.

Jammu, May 27
The privilege motion pending in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council against former Army chief Gen (retd) VK Singh, who has been made the Minister of State with independent charge in the Narendra Modi government, has almost died down.

The matter is hanging between the Legislative Council chairman Amrit Malhotra and Jugal Kishore-led privilege committee as neither of the two is taking lead to address the issue.

After the former Army chief took the oath on Monday, Malhotra is taking every step with utmost caution. He first wants to know the legal ways to address the issue.

The privilege committee chairman Jugal Kishore, on the other hand, is looking towards the Legislative Council chairman for any action in the issue.

In October last year, National Conference (NC) legislators Ajay Sadhotra, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy and Devender Singh Rana had moved a privilege motion against General (retd) Singh after he told a news channel that the Army paid money to Jammu and Kashmir politicians and ministers.

The privilege committee summoned the former Army chief twice, first on January 9 and then on January 22 this year, but he didn’t turn up.

The issue, however, took a turn on January 22 when questions were raised on the privilege committee by Congress members saying it was supposed to have only five members instead of the existing six, following which the matter was referred to the chairman by Jugal Kishore.

Malhotra though hasn’t taken any decision on the legality of the committee since then due to which the privilege motion against the former Army chief couldn’t be taken to its logical end.

“I had asked the privilege committee to give in writing about the matter. But I haven’t yet received any communication from them. I was out of Srinagar for some time and there is a possibility that communication might have reached the office in my absence,” Malhotra told The Tribune.

“When I will be back in Srinagar, the matter will be taken up. But whether to summon General (retd) Singh or dispose of the matter is the prerogative of the privilege committee and I have no role in it,” he said.

Jugal Kishore, however, said it was important to first address the issue of legality of the committee.

“First the issue of legality of the committee needs to be addressed, after that any decision on the privilege motion will be taken,” he said.

Breach of privilege

In October last year, National Conference (NC) legislators Ajay Sadhotra, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy and Devender Singh Rana had moved a privilege motion against General (retd) Singh after he told a news channel that the Army paid money to Jammu and Kashmir politicians and ministers

Srinagar, May 27
The Army on Monday claimed that it had amicably resolved the issue of a scuffle between Army men and policemen last Friday at the tourist resort of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district.

The J&K police had registered an FIR against trainees of the Army's High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) for attempt to murder, rioting and robbery after they allegedly beat up policemen at the tourist resort of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district on Friday, leaving five of them injured.

The Army said the issue was resolved during a high-level meeting of senior officials of the Army, police and civil authorities in Ganderbal district on Monday.

“The Chief of Staff of Chinar Corps, Major General JS Cheema paid a visit to the Sonamarg-based HAWS and carried out detailed deliberations in a very congenial atmosphere with the senior officials of HAWS, JK Police, Traffic Police and civil administration. The stakeholders jointly concluded that a freak incident caused due to the misunderstanding between the personnel of Army and JK Police should not be allowed to adversely affect the synergy among the security forces and with the civil administration. It was also decided that the personnel prima facie found to be involved in the incident will be immediately replaced while the Court of Inquiry investigates the circumstances leading to the incident and identifies the guilty. The issue has been resolved amicably,” a defence spokesman said.

“As soon as the matter came to the light of the Chinar Corps headquarters, it was actively taken up with the senior police officials and the local military authorities of Sonamarg were ordered to investigate the incident,” he said.

“The misgivings prevailing over the issues were ironed out in an extremely amicable manner. The Army assured that a strict disciplinary action will be taken on the finalisation of the Court of Inquiry against the individuals found guilty in the incident. While the police have changed the SHO, Army has replaced the personnel prima facie found to be involved in the incident,” he said.

Gulabgarh (Indo-Pak Border), May 27
Four-year-old Manvi today made a passionate appeal to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to release her mentally challenged father, who “inadvertently” had crossed over to Pakistan earlier this month.

Sohan Lal, father of two, had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on May 11 from the Suchetgarh sector.

There were heartrending scenes at Sohan Lal’s home of Sohan Lal as little Manvi repeatedly inquired about his father.

“When will papa come?” Manvi repeatedly asked her mother Sukhvinder Kour, who has virtually stunned into silence following the news of her husband inadvertently crossing over the fence. Pointing towards today’s newspaper, Manvi’s grandfather Garu Ram told her that Pakistan’s PM was in India and he would release her father.

“I appeal to Pakistan Prime Minister to get my papa released. I am badly missing him,” Manvi said, her voice being echoed by sister Anjali.

Garu Ram said his son inadvertently crossed the border after the BSF authorities had opened the fence on May 11 for farmers. “Sohan is mentally challenged so he inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan,” he said.

Jammu, May 27
The wall of the Bahu Fort, which collapsed in August last year, is expected to be restored by July this year.

It took the authorities almost a year to restore 110 ft-long wall of the ancient Bahu Fort in Jammu, which collapsed on August 18, 2013.

The Jammu Development Authority (JDA), which was assigned the task to restore it, has speeded up the work and the officials of the JDA assured that the wall would be restored by July.

The JDA started the work in March. More than 30 labourers have been engaged by the JDA under the supervision of Executive Engineer Roop Lal to restore the wall.

Roop Lal said, "The restoration work is in full swing. All the work is being done under the guidelines of the Archaeology Department of the state."

"About Rs 50 lakh will be spent on the wall. 50 per cent of the work has been done and it is expected to be fully restored by July this year," he added.

Roop Lal informed that only limestone was being used in the restoration work, which was being brought from Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district.

The Archaeological Department of the state is facing a financial crunch, as it gets only Rs 70-80 lakh as annual budget for all the monuments of the state. The department is already working on Bahu Fort, Samba Fort, Reasi Fort and Rajouri Fort. No special funds have been released by the government till date. So on the request of the Archaeological Department of the state, the JDA decided to start restoration and seek payment later.

The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) had submitted an estimate of Rs 134 lakh in December, 2013, to the Archaeological Department of the state for the restoration of wall and some other works at the Bahu Fort, out of which Rs 49 lakh were for the restoration of the wall. But due to lack of funds, the department has sent the proposal to the Planning Department of the state.

Jammu, May 27
All the schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in the state will introduce library and information science (LIS) as an elective subject at the senior secondary level (Class XI and XII) from this academic year (2014-15).

KCS Mehta, Principal, Army Public School, Akhnoor, and president of the Jammu Sahodaya School Complex, a body of CBSE-affiliated schools in the state, told The Tribune that the subject was going to be introduced from the academic session 2014-15.

“In view of the libraries playing a very distinct role in serving the needs of students, teachers, various professionals and researchers, the CBSE has decided to introduce LIS,” Mehta said.

“The introduction of library and information science will definitely help the students in developing their basic understanding of theory and practical part of the important subject. Further, it will develop knowledge and skill of students for pursuing the subject for higher education in future,” he maintained.

Mehta disclosed that the CBSE-affiliated schools were also likely to introduce legal studies as a subject for the benefit of students to know more about the functioning of the legal system.

“The library and information science, an academic elective would nurture the interest of students and expose them to the nuances of skills and approaches required in this field. Library and information science can be chosen by students as one of the four elective subjects and also as an additional elective subject at the senior secondary stage in combination with any of the subjects that are already available in the scheme of studies of the board,” a circular from the CBSE claimed.

Sources said the senior secondary schools desirous of introducing this new elective from the current academic session had been informed to apply in a pro forma along with a bank draft of the requisite amount in favour of Secretary, CBSE, Delhi.

One of the important aspects of this elective is to improve the education system for library and information science at the school level, which may be equivalent to a diploma in library and information science.

Srinagar, May 27
The suspension of the President of the Doctors' Association of Kashmir (DAK), Dr Nisaar-ul-Hassan, on Monday after his arrest last week has evoked widespread condemnation in the Valley.

Dr Hassan was booked under the Unlawful Activities Act for his remarks on the political status of Kashmir and human rights abuses, following which he was arrested,

The Doctors' Association of Kashmir has threatened hospital lockout across Kashmir hospitals if Dr Hassan's suspension order is not revoked.

A statement issued by DAK said the doctors would wear black badges tomorrow in protest against the suspension order of the association president.

"If the suspension order is not revoked immediately we will be left with no option than to shut down hospitals and the onus will lie on the government," the DAK statement said.

An order by the State Health Department on Monday read, "In terms of sub-rule (2) of Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal Rules 1956), Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan Malik, in charge Assistant Professor (Medicine), Government Medical College, Srinagar, shall be deemed to have been suspended w.e.f May 19 for his detention in police custody for more than 48 hours in a case under section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Act."

All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (Geelani) and APHC (Mirwaiz) have condemned the state government action against Dr Hassan and called for immediate revoking of the order.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Yasin Malik said the suspension of Dr Hassan was unjustified and that state government could not muzzle the voices of dissent.

The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), meanwhile, has called for an executive meeting tomorrow to chalk out the future course of action in case Dr Hassan's suspension order is not revoked.

Srinagar, May 27
Meraj-ul-Alam was observed with traditional fervour as devotees thronged the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake here today.

Meraj-ul-Alam is traditionally observed a day after Shab-e-Meraj (Night of Ascent) as Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad ascended to the highest level of heaven on this night of the Islamic calendar (27th Rajab).

While devotees at several mosques and shrines remained engrossed in Shab Khwani (nightlong prayers) to commemorate Shab-e-Meraj till today morning, thousands of people paid obeisance at Hazratbal throughout the day.

Devotees from all over the Valley visited Hazratbal to catch a glimpse of the holy relic (hair strand of Prophet Muhammad). The holy relic is displayed after each prayer at Hazratbal on Meraj-ul-Alam and also the next day (tomorrow) especially for women.

The area around the Hazratbal shrine wore a festive look as many vendors had set up their stalls on the roadside. National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah too was seen interacting with the devotees after paying obeisance.

Several governmental departments had set up stalls for the convenience of devotees at Hazratbal that had remained the centre for Meraj functions.

The University of Kashmir also organised a social service camp at Sir Syed Gate on the campus where refreshments were served to the devotees.

“The university, being situated in the vicinity of the revered shrine, we are humbled to be able to serve devotees,” said Zafar A Reshi, Registrar, University of Kashmir.

Srinagar, May 27
Security forces carried out a search operation in frontier Kupwara district after an input about the presence of militants in a forest area today.

Sources said a joint operation was launched by the Army and the police in the Ramhal forest area of Handwara, 100 km from here, this morning after an input about the presence of militants.

“A vast forest area was cordoned off and a search operation conducted. However, no contact could be established with the militants and the operation was called off this evening,” said the source.

The search was carried out a day after the Army and the police busted an underground militant hideout in the Sungal Nar area of the Lolab forests in Kupwara.

Arms and ammunition were seized from the hideout. — TNS

Samba, May 27
Residents of the Budhwani area of Samba staged a demonstration and blocked the Jammu- Pathankot National Highway in protest against the Power Development Department (PDD) for its "failure" to restore the power supply in their area. Traffic was disrupted for more than an hour because of road blockade. Hundreds of vehicles got stuck, resulting in long traffic jams.

The protesters alleged that residents of Budhwani area had been reeling under darkness for the past one week due to technical problem in a transformer, which had not been replaced by the power department.

"There is no power supply for the past more than a week and the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye towards our problems," said Suneeta Devi, a resident.

"We had informed the authorities concerned regarding the crisis a week ago, but nothing has been done in this regard so far," said Pawan Kumar, a local.

"The PDD has forced us to come out on roads and hold a protest," he added.

Later, the protesters were pacified after senior police officers and the executive engineer, PDD, assured them of immediate action. — OC

Srinagar, May 27
The J&K State Human Rights Commission in a landmark decision has recommended minimum salary to mosque imams (religious clerics).

Stating that the imams too have a right to live with dignity and honour, the rights body has recommended to the J&K Government, J&K Muslim Waqf Board and local Auqafs Committee that they should “maintain and pay” a minimum monthly salary of Rs 12,000 to each imam.

Imams lead the ritual prayers at mosques five times a day and are paid for offering this service.

“An imam assumes the most respectable and highly regarded place in our society and it is he who leads our prayers and is in charge of religious activities of a mosque,” rights commission acting chairman Rafiq Fida observed in his judgment today while deciding a complaint by MM Shuja, general secretary of an NGO, J&K People’s Forum, regarding the condition of mosque imams in J&K.

Shuja in his complaint alleged that the J&K Waqf Board had neither been able to evolve a need-based policy regarding imams nor has been able to regulate the conditions of services of such a respectable class of society. He stated that the board had allegedly become an agency of the ruling party and had totally neglected the objectives for which it was constituted.

Stating that apart from performing his religious duties, an imam is also a human being, the commission observed that he too had “every right to enjoy and claim” every fundamental and human right.

“Society has a great responsibility towards an imam and his familial requirements. However, the fact of the case is the irony that a respectable and reputable person of our society is the person who suffers the most,” the SHRC said.

“The J&K Muslim Waqf Board has not adhered to any standard or equal procedure in respect of the imams working under their authority and control,” the commission said while adding that the list provided by the board discloses that it has applied different yardsticks and criteria for the imams in payment of their salaries.

“The allegations make some sense that due to the meagre amount being paid as salaries, imams, who are considered to be the most respected persons, are humiliated and insulted in our society,” it added.

“To protect the life and dignity of imams, the commission feels duty-bound to recommend to the state government, J&K Muslim Wakf Board and all other heads of Auqafs and committees in J&K to at least maintain and pay a minimum salary of Rs 12,000 to each imam and naib-imam and Rs 10,000 to moazins (those who call for prayers),” the commission said in its orders while directing that the copies of the order be sent to the J&K Government through the Chief Secretary, Wakf Board.

Pulwama, May 27
After revelation that a police officer’s son was killed in an encounter in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Abdul Gani Mir today urged police personnel not to forget their families and children while performing their duty.

The police officer's son was among the two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, killed in the Frisal area of Kulgam on Sunday.

The IGP was talking to mediapersons at the inaugural ceremony of a gym under the civic action programme of the police and a dining hall for officers at the District Police Lines in Pulwama.

Mir urged policemen to give whatever time they had to their children to ensure they did not involve in bad company or crime.

“It is ironic that the police officer remained unaware (of his son) for about nine months until he was killed,” Mir said while addressing police personnel, adding policemen have meagre time but should look after their families.

He also termed the joining of educated youth with militant ranks as a myth and said some persons were exaggerating facts regarding the qualification of the militants.

“Persons who have not qualified their Class XII and joined militant outfits are termed as graduates which is just a myth,” Mir told mediapersons.

The IGP further said crime was on a rise in society and needed to be curbed at the earliest. He said the police should get deep into the genesis of the crimes so that measures could be taken to check them in the future.

Pulwama, May 27
The authorities have failed to enforce the ban on poppy cultivation in Pulwama district as the practice goes on unabated in many villages of the district.

The crop has been planted deep inside the elevated tableland of Karewa in the Koil area, where the presence of the public and the authorities is less.

The crop has been grown in many villages right under the nose of the administration, but no action has been taken against those who are violating the government order.

"They know that cultivating poppy is prohibited by the government, but have planted it on land less trod by the public, who can complain," said Towseef Ahmad of Pulwama.

Sajad Qadiri, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Pulwama, said no such case had been brought to their notice.

He added that they would take necessary action against the erring persons if they found anyone violating the government order.

He said poppy seeds were used in food items and directions had been issued that all parts of the crop other than seeds should be destroyed and not sold illegally.

Katra, May 27
The three-day Aghar Jitto Mela would commence at Aghar Jitto, about 6 km from here, on June 12, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said during a meeting of officials and local committee members yesterday.

Choudhary directed officials of various departments to make all the necessary arrangements for the fair well in advance.

Ensure proper security, drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, besides adequate provision of essential commodities for the fair, Choudhary told the officials.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer was asked to ensure availability of a team of doctors with ambulance and required medicines round-the-clock during the three-day event.

Similarly, the Rural Development Department, Reasi, was directed to erect separate temporary toilets and bathrooms for males and female devotees at the fair site.

Adequate deployment of security personnel en route and around the mela site should be made by the district police, Choudhary said.

Jammu, May 27
A pedestrian was killed by a rashly driven two-wheeler in the Gujjar Nagar area here this morning.

The victim was identified as Bashir Ahmad, 48, son of Dost Mohammad, a resident of Rajouri, presently residing in the Narwal area of Jammu.

The police said Ahmad was crossing the road on a rotary near the Gujjar Nagar bridge when he was hit by a rashly driven motorcycle. Two youths, Rashpal Chouhan and Shubham Chouhan, were riding the motorcycle.

“The youth driving the motorcycle, Rashpal Chouhan, managed to escape from the spot, while the one riding pillion, Shubham, was detained. The two-wheeler has been impounded and a hunt has been launched to nab Rashpal,” the police said.

Jammu, May 27
The Cultural Wing of the Department of Information organised a symposium-cum-cultural programme at the auditorium of Heritage School, Sainik Colony, here today.

The programme started with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the chief guest, Smita Sethi, Joint Director, Information Department, Jammu.

The event featured a beautiful blend of thought-provoking discourse on the contemporary needs and importance of preservation of traditional art. Student speakers expressed their views on the topic, "Role of computer education in today’s modern society".

The enlightening and thought-provoking symposium was followed by scintillating cultural programme by artistes of the Cultural Wing of the State Information Department and students of Heritage School, which enthralled the audience.

The Joint Director of Information (JDI), Jammu, felicitated the best speakers - Kartik Tripathi, Divyanshu Saini and Japjot Singh - who bagged the first, second and third position, respectively.

In her address, the chief guest lauded the efforts of the artistes and students for putting up a wonderful show which was a beautiful amalgam of scholarly and cultural pursuits.

She reiterated the importance of preserving the cultural legacies and traditions. In her welcome address, the chairperson of Heritage School, Sunita Gupta, also requested the Information Department to organise more such programmes in future in the school.

A colourful programme was presented by the artistes of the Cultural Wing of the Information Department, including Jeevan Sharma, Vijay Anand, Surjit Singh Sumbaria, Chanchal Sharma, Nirbay Singh Salathia, Bunti Kumar, Amit Kimar, Kamal Kumar and Bodh Raj.The programme was compeered by veteran artiste Jia Lal Sharma.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Raman Joshi, Cultural Officer, Information Department, and Principal of the school, Jagadish Singh Dhami.

Jammu, May 27
The All J&K SRTC Volunteer Retired Employees Association today staged a protest and criticised the alleged adamant attitude of state government.

Dev Raj Bali, president of the association, and Surinder Singh, general secretary, while addressing the protesters said the association had been raising its voice for the payment of volunteer retirement dues of J&K SRTC employees as promised by the government, but nothing significant was done.

"We appeal to the Central Government to come to our rescue and save us from the clutches of the state Finance Department and management the J&K SRTC. A special package for the employees of J&K SRTC be given and a probed be initiated against the State Finance Department," a statement of the association claimed.

The association added that its members were beaten by the police whenever they raised their voice for getting legitimate dues. Others who spoke on the occasion included Kulbir Singh, JD Singh, BV Sharma, Prem Nath, Ehsan Elahi, Surjit Singh, Surinder Singh and Sain Mohammad.

Srinagar, May 27
Reiterating government’s resolve to make the state self-sufficient in power, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather today said various projects have been planned to add about 10,000 MW of power by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan.

He said Rs 1,900 crore was being spent to modernise the power distribution system and to reduce transmission and distribution losses.

“Besides, all un-electrified villages in the state will be electrified at a cost of Rs 954 crore under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) during the current year,” Rather said, adding that all damaged transformers would also be replaced this year.

The minister said this while laying the foundation stone of the receiving station at Nowpora to be built at a cost of Rs 3 crore in Charar-i-Sharief town of central Kashmir.

Rather said setting up of the receiving station would be a big leap forward towards streamlining the power system in the area which would ensure improved and scheduled power supply to about 13 villages in the vicinity. He said the receiving station, when completed and commissioned, would divest a good chunk of load from the existing receiving stations of Charar-i-Sharief, Kanira and Nagam, thereby benefiting 13 villages, including Hafroo, Loolipora, Narpora, Brinjan, Brarigund, Buzgoo, Ledan, Gojipathri, Nilnaag, Baarowa and Badipora.

The finance minister said improvement of HT/LT lines was launched at a massive scale this year for streamlining the distribution system.

He added that Rs 1 crore had been allotted to each district under this scheme for replacing damaged and sub-standard electric poles.

Srinagar, May 27
The second edition of the “Kashmir Gold Cup Championship in Tae-kwon-DO” will be held here in August.

Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone said the four-day-long championship would commence from August 26 and teams from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Malaysia were expected to participate in the competition. He said this while addressing a gathering at Islamic Educational Institute, Gulshanabad, Hyderpora.

The Budgam deputy commissioner, additional deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, chairman of Islamic Educational Institute, president of the JKFTA and religious scholars were also present.

The minister also distributed certificates among the students who had participated in the First Kashmir Gold Cup Tae-kwon-DO Championship held at the Sher-i-Kashmir indoor stadium in November last year.