Srinagar, June 6
Members of the 14th Finance Commission held a detailed meeting with ministers and senior government officers on Friday. The state pleaded for transfer of hydroelectric projects and liberal financing to reconstruct the battered economy.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who addressed the meeting this morning, appealed to the commission to view the state’s constraints, concerns and expectations through positive and sympathetic lens.

“We in Jammu and Kashmir have passed through difficult times and face the daunting challenge of reconstruction of an insurgency-battered economy,” Omar said during the meeting as he appealed to the commission for a generous award.

Omar was accompanied by 13 ministers and senior officers to the meeting with the six-member commission, headed by former Reserve Bank Governor YV Reddy. It would finalise its recommendations after a series of meetings with the state government and key stakeholders.

“We are hopeful that the new government at the Centre and the 14th Finance Commission will view our constraints, concerns and expectations through positive and sympathetic lens and help us in carrying forward our development agenda of building on peace dividends,” the Chief Minister said.

Omar advocated the transfer of Salal and Dulhasti power projects back to the state. He urged the commission to strongly recommend the transfer of hydroelectric projects to the state after a 30-year period and made a strong appeal for raising free power quota from 
12 to 30 per cent.

“The Rangarajan Committee has recommended (transfer of) certain hydroelectric projects to the state free of cost. We reiterate this demand and request that requisite compensation for such projects be paid to the NHPC by the Centre,” Omar said, seeking compensation for the state for the Indus Water Treaty.

Omar read out the initiatives launched by the state government to harness the hydroelectric potential to upgrade the state’s financial position.

“The edifice has been laid to generate 9,000 MW of energy over the next seven years. With this kind of generation, we can not only be self-sufficient to meet our energy requirements, but have considerable surplus income for the state as well,” Omar said.

The Chief Minister explained to the commission how the state required generous and sympathetic financial support for inclusive and equitable development of the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

The state government handed over a memorandum to the commission, listing need-driven and state-specific demands which were important for giving an impetus to economic activities.

The state government sought financial resources for new administrative units and panchayats. Principal Secretary (Finance) BB Vyas made a comprehensive presentation, in which areas requiring focus of attention by the commission were highlighted.

Commission chairman Reddy assured the state government that demands put forth in the memorandum would be considered. The government quoted him saying the commission would help the state to enable it to have quantum jump in the trajectory of growth and progress.

Pahalgam, June 6
A lengthy winter, unprecedented in recent decades, and a record snowfall in the region’s upper reaches, even in mid-May, is hampering track clearance to a Hindu shrine, situated at a height of 13,500 feet on the icy Himalayas in south Kashmir.

The route to the Amarnath shrine passes through mountains. Increasing altitude causes a drop in temperature, low humidity, increased ultraviolet radiations and reduced air pressure.

Snow accumulation on the 46-km route from Pahalgam to the cave shrine, as per an official reconnaissance survey of the track last month, is the highest in 15 years.

“Snow avalanches have hit the main track at various places, washing away bridges, iron railings and pathways,” said an engineer posted with Pahalgam Development Authority.

The route remained buried under snow, ranging from four feet to around 15 feet, when the first groups of labourers was dispatched last month to clean the first stretches of the snow.

The labourers, divided into 32 groups of around 100 men each, used ponies to carry ration and other basic life-saving utilities to reach their camps.

After reaching their camps, the labourers started work to clear the track to the cave shrine of ice and snow. The Amarnath yatra is scheduled to start from June 28.

The labourers are braving unusual and freezing weather conditions and threat of hypothermia as the winter this year lasted longer than usual.

“If labourers are not careful, they can get buried under snow,” one of the officials said last month at a meeting of the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) where the May-25 deadline to reach the Sheshnag base camp was being discussed. The deadline was extended by a week.

Several segments along the route from Pahalgam to the holy cave --- situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of the Lidder valley --- are dangerous, prone to avalanches and harsh wind and are buried under snow.

The track from Pahalgam to Sheshnag which includes the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps has been cleared of snow.

Security forces are camping at Chandanwari and patrolling up to Sheshnag.

The next stop, likely to be reached this week, is Panchtarni. The meadow base camp, at a steep climb from Sheshnag across the Mahagunas pass at 14,000 feet and then a descend of 12,000 feet, has hutments buried under the snow, an official said.

“We are expecting to reach the holy cave within 10 days, by June 15,” the PDA official said.

“We have faced difficulties because it was a record snowfall this year, ranging from four feet at Chandanwari to up to 13 feet at the holy cave. Despite the snow, we have utilised all our efforts,” he said.

Governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, is personally monitoring arrangements for the pilgrimage. He held an interactive session with the officials concerned on Wednesday and directed them to expedite the clearance work.

Srinagar, June 6
With an aim to check profiteering by shopkeepers and keep the food prices in control, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the authorities concerned in Kashmir to display the rate lists of essential commodities/food items on hoardings and ensure that the rates fixed are complied with.

These directions were issued by a Division Bench of the court headed by Chief Justice MM Kumar while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by GM Wani on the rising prices of essential commodities.

"All Deputy Commissioners should ensure that the rate list of essential commodities is put up on hoardings and ensure its compliance," the court observed in its orders made available today. The court has further directed the government to file compliance report in this regard by the next hearing.

The Bench observed that by displaying the rates of the food items on hoardings, the people would come to know about the prices of essential commodities, more particularly during fasting in Ramadan, which is beginning later this month.

In the PIL, it has been submitted that even as the rate lists of the essential commodities are fixed by the authorities concerned, these are not followed by shopkeepers and vendors.

Earlier on July 25, 2013, the J&K High Court had asked the authorities of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) to explain what inputs are taken into account for determining the prices of essential commodities. They were asked to explain the process for declaring a particular edible commodity as an essential commodity.

Jammu, June 6
While thousands of Kashmiri Hindus throng the ancient Kheer Bhawani temple, Tulmullah, in Ganderbal district of Kashmir on Jyeshta Ashtami today, but those who were unable to go to the original temple thronged the replica of the original shrine, Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Bhawani Nagar, here today to celebrate annual Jyeshta Ashtami festival.

The entire shrine premise, which was tastefully decorated, had been echoing with bhajans since last evening and reached its climax today. Devotees with flowers and "thalis" filled with "puja" material continued to assemble around the small magnificent temple of Goddess Ragnya Devi to offer puja in the traditional way. The fragrance of "dhoop" and "pooja" material made the environment serene.

Hawan was performed on the occasion and devotees joined in "puran ahuti". The "samohik arti" was performed in the evening, wherein more than 25,000 devotees participated. The roof of the houses adjacent to the shrine were covered by the devotees, who assembled there to participate in the prayers as complete space inside the premises of the "peeth" was jam-packed at the time of the "arti".

The replica was built by displaced Kashmiri Pandits after they migrated from militancy-infested Valley.

Various social and religious organisations set up stalls offering eatables and water to the devotees. “It is an important religious event among Kashmiri Hindus. Though we could not visit the Valley, but we celebrated the festival here,” said Sanjay Dhar, a devotee.

The police and other departments had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. Kheer Bhawani Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi. "It is believed that offering milk and 'kheer' to the sacred spring at the shrine wards off impending disaster," said Sarika Raina, another devotee.

Tullamulla (Srinagar), June 6
As the faithful rushed to the Ragnya Devi shrine to seek blessings during Mela Kheer Bhawani celebrations on Friday, many Kashmiri Pandits relived the peaceful pre-militancy days for some time. Knowing that chances of their return were not bright, they said the mela gave them the chance to stay connected to their roots.

“Rituals are the same, but celebrations look artificial as we know that we will be in Jammu soon. In the good old days, we used to camp here for a week during the mela and stay in houseboats. We briefly relive the bygone era now,” said Anil Koul, hailing from Habbakadal in the old city, but now staying in Jammu.

He had been coming with his family to Tullamulla, 27 km from Srinagar, every year. He said it was peaceful and less crowded earlier. “There was no tourist and the rush was less. Coming here gave a lot of peace and the visit was purely spiritual,” he said. Others migrants seemed to be momentarily reliving the past, saying their return to Kashmir looked difficult.

“I feel that the number of pilgrims is less this year even though we had a problem in getting accommodation. Many slept in the open and some got help from local residents. If the government cannot construct more halls, how can it rehabilitate us? Rehabilitation is imperative to our return,” said SL Raina, hailing from Handwara in Kupwara district.

Moti Lal, a retired police official, had been visiting his ancestral home at Rafiabad in Baramulla district after the mela every year. He regretted that the government was not serious about their return. “Anything is possible if the government so desires, but the issue of our return has become a hollow slogan,” he said.

As in the past, several mainstream and separatist leaders were seen interacting with devotees throughout the course of the day. “We want them to do something substantial instead of rendering lip service,” Lal added.

Srinagar, June 6
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt a bold approach in dealing with the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. She was speaking on the election of Sumitra Mahajan as Lok Sabha Speaker today.

Mehbooba said Jammu and Kashmir deserved greater accommodation in view of problems being faced since Independence even though Jammu and Kashmir was a small state having only six seats.

"Though it is a small state, it faces more problems than the rest of the country," she said. She had been elected to the Lok Sabha from her home constituency Anantnag in south Kashmir for the second time.

She recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's oft-repeated 'insaniyat ke daeray mein' remark on the resolution of the Kashmir issue. In the backdrop of his recent remarks, she hoped that Modi would adopt a bold approach in resolving the issue.

She exuded confidence on the issue as the BJP had secured a majority in the elections, adding that Modi had remarked that he would follow Vajpayee's line in dealing with Jammu and Kashmir. Vajpayee had adopted a policy of reconciliation, saying 'hum dost badal sakte hain, humsaya nahi', she added.

Srinagar, June 6
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah today termed development and prosperity of the state as the party’s hallmark, saying that it will continue to steer the state towards economic growth and progress.

The ruling party president held meetings with numerous delegations of public and party workers at the National Conference's headquarters in the city, where he praised the developmental track record of the party.

Farooq said the party had rendered its services to people through “the ups and downs of history and has never absolved itself of the role of being the bulwark that protects the political, social, cultural and economic interests of the state”.

The ruling party, which faced a rout in the recent parliamentary election, is gearing up and making efforts to regain the lost ground ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. According to a statement issued by the ruling party, Farooq said the Omar Abdullah-led government had made huge strides in areas of infrastructural development and economic growth in the last five and a half years, in line with the NC’s glorious, unquestionable track-record of working relentlessly for the interests of the common man.

Farooq said the industries, commerce, health infrastructure and education sectors had seen "remarkable growth" during the last five and a half years as the state's economic grown rate has crossed 7 per cent during the same time.

"The gross state domestic product (GSDP) constant prices increased from Rs 34,664 crore in 2008-2009 to Rs 42,878 crore in 2012-2013 representing a growth of 23 per cent and indicating a strong resurgence of the state's economy. At current prices, the GSDP has risen from Rs 42,315 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 75,574 crore in 2012-13,” Farooq said.

The NC president said facts “speak loud and clear” about his party's performance in lifting the state “out of the economic mess and duress that the PDP had managed to land the state in during its tenure”.

Farooq said a capital expenditure of over Rs 10,000 crore had been made in the state's health care, education, power, roads, irrigation and tourism sectors during the last five years.

He said the Omar government had initiated 455 major road projects and 265 bridges in the state and 10,000 km of new roads were constructed, 15,000 km of roads blacktopped and 19,000 km of roads shingled in the last five years.

Farooq said around one lakh jobs had been provided to the youth and the state government was in the process of fast-tracking the filing of around 50,000 posts through various recruitment agencies in the state.

"The establishment of 3,000 entrepreneurship units in the state was a testament to the vision and efforts of this government and its pro-youth policies," Farooq said. 

Srinagar, June 6
Buoyed with its victory in the recent General Election, the PDP has set itself into the Assembly election mode, with legislators organising meetings.

The PDP has 21 members in the Assembly and is working to win 44 seats in the 87-member House so that it can form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir on its own.

The party has already made it clear that it will not have any tie-up with the BJP. In the General Election, PDP candidates had secured the lead in 41 Assembly segments, including two in the Jammu region, and the BJP in 29.

“We are in election mode and are sure that we will form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir,” said a senior leader.

“After the General Election results, party leaders and legislators are holding meetings to thank the voters and telling them to prepare for the Assembly elections, which will be crucial for the state,” he added.

Party MLA Peer Mansoor Hussain said the General Election results had provided a boost to party workers and they were sure of securing a majority in the next Assembly.

“People of Jammu and Kashmir have seen mis-governance of the government and rampant corruption and lawlessness in the last six years,” he said.

“People have shown their anger against the government in the General Election. They will give the PDP a clear mandate in the Assembly elections,” Hussain said.

Besides focusing on Kashmir, party leaders had been working hard to garner support in hilly constituencies located in the Jammu region.

Jammu, June 6
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the General Election had accelerated the process of change in Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that with the support of every section of society, the PDP was committed to taking the movement for change to its logical conclusion.

“The results of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls have marked a new beginning for the state as these elections have given a boost to the winds of change in J&K,” Mufti said, pointing out that people of the state had rejected the “exploitative” politics of the National Conference.

“Residents of Jammu and Kashmir have accepted the PDP as a viable and credible alternative of the present regime,” Mufti said while addressing a meeting of the district party units in Jammu and Samba this morning.

To review the performance of the party in the Jammu region during Lok Sabha polls, Mufti had convened a series of meetings with various party units of Jammu province to feedback from the grass-roots level workers and senior leaders.

Exhorting the party cadre to approach every section of the state to seek support of the people to fulfil the unfinished agenda of sustainable peace and inclusive growth, Mufti reiterated the commitment of the PDP to pursue the policy of equitable and balanced development in J&K.

“During its tenure in power, the PDP had proved how to treat all regions and sub-regions equally,” Mufti said as he recalled that it was during the PDP-led government that institutional arrangements were made for economic and political empowerment of all regions of the state.

He reminded party leaders that the PDP-led regime had launched a comprehensive process of inclusive growth and infrastructural development in the state.

Stating that the PDP had a comprehensive and visionary agenda for every region of the state, Mufti said his party had formulated a road map to address issues concerning every sections of society. He promised that the PDP would set up a system of transparency and accountability where every individual would get an equal opportunity for growth and development.

Srinagar, June 6
YV Reddy, chairman of the 14th Finance Commission, along with commission members Abhijit Sen, Sushama Nath, M Govinda Rao and Sudipto Mundle and commission secretary AN Jha, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhavan today.

Reddy apprised the Governor of the commission’s interactions with various stakeholders since its arrival in Srinagar yesterday. The Governor and members of the commission discussed key areas which required attention for securing the accelerated growth and development of the state.

Jammu, June 6
The state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today approached the Jammu office of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and registered a written complaint in the Nowshera rape case.

A 10-year-old girl of Dhanaka village of Nowshera tehsil in Rajouri district was raped in the evening on May 31 and the rape victim was denied the urgent medical treatment at the sub-district hospital, Nowshera, and in the district hospital, Rajouri, later.

Led by state president of the BJYM Ravinder Raina, a delegation, comprising BJYM leaders Bharat Sharma, Ajay Pargal, Karan Sharma, Ashish Sareen and Rahul Sharma, met the officer in charge, SHRC, Jammu, Ramesh Trakru, and filed a petition in the commission.

Briefing the SHRC officer about the Nowshera rape case, BJYM state president Ravinder Raina demanded stern action against the doctors of the sub-district hospital, Nowshera, and district hospital, Rajouri, for the utter negligence. He said the victim was denied urgent medical treatment in the Nowshera hospital and was referred to the district hospital at Rajouri by the doctors despite the availability of a gynaecologist. The victim was in need of immediate medical help as she was bleeding profusely, but at Rajouri she was denied treatment and the poor and helpless parents were asked to take the girl to Government Medical College, Jammu. Instead of providing medical treatment to the girl, doctors abused the parents of the victim and then demanded Rs 5,000 for an ambulance to carry the victim to Jammu, he added.

He said this was a severe violation of basic fundamental rights of a citizen and the utter failure of state Health Department and its minister was also responsible for the total failure of Department and occurrence of such cases. He urged the commission to act against the minister as well. The office assured the BJYM leaders that the commission would take all steps to provide justice to the victim and stern action would be taken by the commission against all the culprits in the case.

Jammu, June 6
Public Health Engineering (PHE) employees of the south division today held a protest under the banner of the Water Works (PHE) Employees Association demanding fulfilment of their demands.

The protest was held at the Division Office of the PHE Mech Division, South Gandhi Nagar Jammu. The vice-president of the association, Shiv Kumar Sharma, applauded the devotion of the PHE daily wagers, who are working in the department without having being paid their wages for many months.

"They are braving inflation which is at peak. He demanded release of their pending wages of two years," he said.

The PHE employees demanded the release of pending wages of daily wagers, special benefit to ITI-trained (skilled) workers, convening of the DPC meeting of all caders, repair of damaged property of the department, release of 10 per cent DA due since January, 2014, enhancement of minimum wages limit, enhancement of medical allowances to Rs 1,000, maintaining of service book of employees, providing of idendity proof to all the field staff, daily wagers and need-based workers, issuance of tool/plants, articles, etc, and release of the Sixth Pay Commission's fourth instalment.

Srinagar, June 6
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has started a fleet of garbage carrying vehicles in the city, but the Mirak Shah Sumo stand at the Kashmir’s old general bus stand in Batamaloo has turned into a garbage dumping site due to alleged official apathy.

The transporters, drivers and tea stall owners near the site said the place had become a dumping ground with garbage scattered all around.

“This is the condition of the city’s Sumo stand. We are facing immense difficulties due to it. People can’t stand here for more than five minutes. It has also turned a breeding place for stray canines thus increasing the risk for commuters and drivers as well,” said a Sumo driver.

They said the drainage system was also lying defunct that had aggravated the stinking smell in the surroundings. “We appealed to the authorities many a time to repair the drainage system here, but they had not done anything till now. The condition turns worse during rain and bad weather, as all dirt flows on roads. I have faced huge losses due to it, as no one comes to have tea at my stall,” said a protesting tea stall owner at the bus stand.

The Sumo stand has vehicles for different routes of north Kashmir. Commuters say it becomes difficult to board a vehicle from the Sumo stand due to poor sanitation.

“We always cover our faces while boarding a vehicle. We fear that poor sanitation could also cause sickness,” said a local of north Kashmir who travels to Srinagar every day.

The Sumo drivers said though they pay annually to the authorities concerned for the drainage system at the place, but it was not being maintained properly. “We approached the Srinagar development authorities and also the SMC, but they seem to have turned a blind eye towards our problems. This is a public place, but it is lying in a dilapidated condition,” the drivers said.

The commuters and Sumo drivers’ association appealed to the authorities concerned to take note of the issue and get the drainage system repaired so that people did not face difficulties.

Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner GN Qasba was not available for comment, but a senior official of the Srinagar district administration assured that he would look into the problem.

Srinagar, June 6
The traffic police are all set to launch a massive crackdown on women drivers in the city in the wake of alarming increase in the number of road mishaps.

Superintendent, Traffic Police, Haseeb-ur-Rehman told The Tribune that around 80 per cent of girls riding scooters in Srinagar and outskirts do not have a driving licence and were underage.

He said such erring women drivers would soon have to face the police wrath.

The SP said, “The department is facing a huge problem of traffic management in the city due to the growing number of two-wheelers.” He added that the police personnel usually men avoid entering into a brawl with women drivers who break traffic rules.

“Many a time, women drivers, especially young girls, cry and faint when cops stop them or fine them. Our men behave in the most civilised way, but we cannot let these girls break the rules as it also risks their lives and leads to road accidents,” the SP, Traffic, said.

He said the Traffic Police had shot off letters to the heads of schools and colleges in Srinagar urging them to prepare a report on the number of girl students who ride two-wheelers (scooters).

“There are many girls who ride a scooty and still have not attained the age of 18 and don’t have a licence. It is not possible for the police to monitor all these girl students, hence we have asked the schools and colleges to prepare reports,” the SP, Traffic, said.

He added that awareness campaign by the Traffic Police was already going on at leading educational institutions of the Valley so that the girls who had not reached the age of 18 were discouraged from riding scooters.

Rehman admitted, “Absence of women traffic cops also gives way to more problems. We have approached the state government for appointing women cops, but no headway has been achieved till now.” 

Srinagar, June 6
Residents of Nawabazar and adjoining localities in the city appealed to the authorities to repair streetlights in the area that have been lying defunct for the past several months.

They said people would face difficulties while praying at dawn during Ramzan if the lights were not repaired on time.

Residents of Aali Kadal, Dabi Tal, Nawabazar, Dalal Mohalla, Chamar Doori and Jamal Lot said dozens of streetlights in the localities were lying defunct and were awaiting repair since long.

“The streetlights are lying defunct and the fear of dogs looms large during dark hours. Children and elderly face risk the most,” said a local of Nawabazar, Shakeel Ahmad.

Another local Abdul Hamid of the adjoining locality said, “The problem arises during dawn prayers as the lights are not working near the mosque sites. As the religious month of Ramzan is just some weeks away, it will become difficult for people to go for night and early morning prayers.”

“Ramzan is coming and the prayers continue till late night and early morning. It is necessary that these lights are repaired so that people don’t face difficulties,” he said, adding that though the residents had brought the issue to the notice of the authorities concerned, they didn’t do anything.

The locals appealed to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to take the problem into consideration ahead of the religious month.

Officials said they would repair all defunct streetlights in the city. “We will repair the streetlights before Ramzan. People should approach us and inform about such things,” said Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Shah.

Jammu, June 6
Mercury soared to 43.7°C in the city today making it the hottest day of this season. A clear and hot day was observed in the winter capital of the state.

The temperature has been continuously increasing in Jammu and reached 43.7°C today. Weathermen announced that the heatwave had made its way into the city and the temperature was expected to oscillate between 43 and 46°C till next week. The maximum temperature may rise up to 46°C in the next few days and no respite from heat is expected, before the monsoon sets in, by the end of June.

The Met office has forecast mainly clear sky. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 44°C and 26°C, respectively. No signs of rain.

The city received blazing sunshine throughout the day. For the last few days, the winter capital of the state has been experiencing the summer heat with mercury remaining above 42°C.

Roads of the city wore a deserted look in the afternoon due to the bright sunshine and the people remained in their homes or offices due to the hot temperature. Only a few persons were moving out, but with umbrellas, and the bikers were moving with a mask on their faces.

Common people of the state who have to move out for their work, especially the student community, suffered due to the heatwave.

“It felt like everything is burning around me, the temperature might be 44°C, but the feel is of above 48°C,” said Avinash Dogra, a resident of Shastri Nagar.

“Our work is suffering due to blazing heat in the city we cannot move out of our homes,” he added.

Jammu, June 6
The announcement by the state Cabinet about the rise in the retirement age of state government employees from 58 to 60 years has generated anguish among the unemployed youth, who are ready to come on roads over the issue.

Unemployed youth of Jammu gathered today at Toph Sherkhaniya for a meeting as Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah announced the rise in the retirement age of employees from 58 to 60 years in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

"The biggest problem in the state is unemployment and if the retirement age will be enhanced the scope of the employment will definitely decline," said Jyoti Sharma, an unemployed youth of Jammu.

"The rise in the retirement age is unfair for the youth of the state. We are not going to tolerate this thing at all and will protest against it," she added.

The most of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are dependent on government jobs as the scope of jobs in the private sector is very limited in the state.

"This action will increase only unemployment among the youth. It is purely a political stunt to increase the vote bank ahead of the Assembly election in the state," Rohit Khajuria, another unemployed youth, said.

"This is high time to recruit talented youth for growth of the nation. Such action can only spread insecurity and unemployment among the youth," he added.

Another youth asked if the youth were not capable of doing government job? How does the administration get efficiency from the elder employees?

Jammu, June 6
Dr Dara Singh, senior orthopaedic surgeon and former HoD in Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, on Thursday delivered a lecture on “Importance of health and wellness” as a part of special interest programme at MV International School.

In his address, he defined the term health in detail as physical, mental, spiritual and social health. “Complete health can be attained only when all these components are equally taken care,” Dr Dara Singh said.

Anantnag, June 6
A couple of days after some miscreants allegedly chopped off a class X student’s ear, the authorities concerned suspended the Station House officer (SHO), Verinag, and the vice-principal of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Verinag.

The incident took place Wednesday evening when a group of stalkers allegedly attacked a girl at Nowgam village of Verinag.

The girl along with some other friends was waiting for her parents to pick her up after a day-long school picnic to Pahalgam.

“SHO, Verinag, Rafiq Ahmad has been put under suspension for mishandling the case,” a police spokesperson said, adding that the officer had provided wrong information to a local newspaper regarding the incident.

The SHO concerned had maintained that preliminary inquiry revealed that the injury was caused by a fall.

While the girl was shifted to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar for treatment, people of the area came out in large numbers and protested the incident. They demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Meanwhile, the police have claimed that they have detained six accused involved in the incident and have registered a case under sections 323 and 294 of the RPC.

“We have also seized the Maruti Van, bearing registration number JK03D-9433, which was used by the culprits to follow the picnic buses of the school,” said a senior police officer from the area.

Taking serious note of the incident, the Chief Education Officer, Anantnag, Ghulam Rasool Shah, put the vice-principal of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Verinag, under suspension.

“The principal of the school is on training period, which made vice-principal Farooq Ahmad Ittoo responsible for the administrative and other matters of the school,” Shah said, adding: “I have ordered his suspension.”

The official also said a district-level inquiry committee of the department has been set to ascertain facts.

“Anybody found guilty of negligence will be dealt strictly,” Shah said