Jammu June 29
In consideration of the special conditions prevalent in the state, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has asked the Ministry of Textiles to fund 50 per cent of the cost of setting up of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus, while the state government would provide the remaining fund.

The decision was taken at a recently held Board of Governors (BoG) meeting held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Kiran Dhingra, Sunil Sethi, president, Fashion Design Council of India, which was attended by PK Gera, Director General, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), A Sakthivel and Namita Chowdhary.

The temporary campus is expected to start later this year and will run only such short term, certificate and two-year diploma. Sources said the board noted that industry in J&K was looking forward to such short-term courses and it was likely to prove more attractive to state candidates from being shorter, cheaper and suitable to candidates.

Sources claimed that the board recommended that while in the regular degree courses it would reiterate its earlier decision of 35 per cent quota, it would agree to 50 per cent quota for state domiciled candidates in short-term certificate and diploma courses, provided that the J&K government agreed to bear financial loss of the institute for such reserved as remained vacant.

”The demand of the state government also carried the possibility of financial losses in case the reserved seats remain vacant, which, by current data availability of the number of J&K students appearing for the entrance test, seemed highly likely,” a NIFT statement claimed.

”The board has decided to request the state government to begin with 35 per cent and seek reconsideration if the response of the state domiciled students was positive enough to fill the 35 percent quota,” it said.

The sources said the board had earlier agreed to make an exception from its policy of seat allocations and accommodate the request of the J&K government to enhance reservation of domiciled applicants to 35 per cent as against 20 per cent given to other states to pursue long-term courses.

They added that the DG, NIFT, informed the members that NIFT had obtained a legal opinion that confirmed that the enhanced reservation to domiciled applicants of J&K was horizontal reservation that would not violate the reservation policy of the Central government. 

Jammu, June 29
The Teacher Education Appraisal Board (TEAB) of the Department of School Education and Literacy (SE&L), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), will release an amount to the tune of Rs 937.94 lakh as second instalment to the J&K government for 2014-15.

The amount would be utilised by the state authorities as recurring assistance for salary, programme and activities components of District Institute of Education and Trainings (DIETs), computer and telecommunications engineering (CTEs) and State Council for Education Research and Training.

The decision in this regard was taken in the recently held meeting of the TEAB under the chairmanship of Secretary, SE&L, at New Delhi, for implementation of Teacher Education Scheme (TES) for the financial year 2014-15. Sources said SE&L had also recommended a proposal for the upgrade of Government College of Education (GCE), Srinagar, into Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE).

Sources added that the decision was taken by the Central Department after the state government had submitted utilisation certificate of earlier release of instalment as well as complete expenditure statement.

“For 2014-15, keeping in view limited availability of funds for the implementation of the teacher education scheme, the request of financial assistance was limited to ‘committed liability’ of previous years and salary and programme and activities component of 2014-15. The request of financial assistance for other item of components would be considered in the next round of TEAB meeting, if additional funds are available,” a SE&L statement claimed. “Sources said the state was also asked to prepare a perspective plan for five years to address critical needs and ensure quality improvement in teacher education through systemic overhauls. The secretary, School Education, impressed upon the state to follow the system that is being followed in the case of other Centrally sponsored schemes like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.

Jammu June 29
The National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) sought raising income tax exemption limit to Rs 5 lakh for salaried class and urged Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to announce this in the 2014-15 Union Budget.

President of the National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) Subash Shastri said with price rise and inflation, every salaried class was facing a lot of economic hardships and raising the IT limit to Rs 5 lakh would be a genuine measure to provide some relief to them.

Shastri sought exemption of Dearness Allowance (DA) from the ambit of income tax as DA is directly linked with the price index.

“The price escalation is directly linked with the DA of the salaried class and pensioners, but it was strange that the income tax is also imposed on the increase of salaries because of the DA,” he added. He urged the Finance Minister to reconsider the practice. Shastri, meanwhile, added that the provision with regard to 20 per cent interim relief to Central and state government employees and pensioners, merger of 50 per cent of DA into basic pay/pension and enhancement of monthly wages of daily wagers to Rs 10,000 should be made during ensuing Budget session of Parliament starting next month.

Release of 10 per cent DA and 4th instalment of the 6th Pay Commission arrears, enhancing medical allowance to Rs 1,000 per month, issuance of regularisation orders of 180 daily wagers working in the Rural Development Department and release of pending wages of all daily wagers working in various departments of the state government were other demands highlighted in the rally. Among others who also spoke on the occasion were Rajan Babu Khajuria, Sunil Kochhar, Surrinder Kumar, Darshan Lal Bawa, Sudesh Kumar, Parmjit, Vijay Kumar, Sukhdev Singh, Karan Singh, Ravinder Kumar and many others.

Jammu, June 29
Newly elected president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu (CCIJ), Rakesh Gupta, has stressed the need to open the Suchetgarh border to explore trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan.

Gupta stressed for placing banking system in the existing cross-LoC trade via Poonch, which is being done on barter system and to introduce trade with Pakistan via the Suchetgarh international border.

“We will take up this issue with the Central and state governments and our counterparts in Pakistan as this is not trade, it is just a mockery. Banking system should be placed, than only trade can be done,” he said.

“Trade should also be started from the Suchetgarh border. If Wagah border can be opened for trade, why not Suchetgarh,” the CCIJ president said.

He said traders from outside the state should be invited to invest in the state.

“Heavy investors from outside the state are shying away to invest in the state because of corruption in the Department of Industry and Commerce (DIC) and the Pollution Control Board. We will take up this issue with the state government to ensure time-bound work in these departments, so that industries in the state can grow,” Gupta said.

While talking about other issue, Gupta said there was scarcity of space at the warehouse and the Kanak Mandi, Jammu.

“The files of the JDA and the Kanak Mandi are with the Jammu Development Authority (JDA). Along with the existing space, some additional space should be provided to traders for storage of their material,” he added.

He said he would fulfil all his promises made during the election.

Jammu, June 29
The 20th National Annual Conference of Sahodaya Schools Complexes recently hosted by the Sahodaya Schools Complex, Amritsar (Punjab), has resolved to create future-ready schools in all states, particularly in special status state like 
J&K, which are to be equipped with emerging technologies and innovative ideas.

The Sahodaya Schools Complex is an apex body of all Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools across the country. In J&K, the apex body for CBSE schools is the Jammu Sahodaya Schools Complex (JSSC).

Sources said the conference recommended process of creating peer educators for values education through the values education kit which contains teachers’ handbook, activity cards and CD on songs of peace.

The members in the conference stressed on the need to strengthen heritage education by developing a curriculum, cross-curricular links, teachers’ manuals and heritage education cards in order to aware the students about the cultural heritage of their respective states.

The sources claimed that in implementing pathways to creating ‘future ready schools’ in J&K, the focus would be on child-centred education and learning processes, continuous professional development of teachers and embedding technology in all aspects of school education.

ThEy added that centres for continuous professional development would be initiated by the authorities concerned which would further augment the capacity building of teachers.

“Open text-based assessment and problem solving assessment as well as values based questions require higher order thinking skills. Sahodayas may come together to develop analytical Question Banks in each subject as well as Values Based Questions,” a Sahodaya Schools Complexes statement claimed.

The board has decided to assess schools in J&K through standardised instruments and process of internal (self-evaluation) and external assessment (peer review), which will encourage sustained qualitative enhancement through accreditation. The sources claimed that the JSSC was asked about the status of CBSE-i pilot programme, which is yet to be implemented in the schools.

“During the meeting, special thrust was given to strengthen vocational and skill-based education in CBSE-affiliated schools and for that it was resolved to develop a collaborative approach to achieve the purpose in a constructive manner,” the sources in the JSSC claimed.

Jammu, June 29
With delay in opening of the traditional Pahalgam route to the Amarnath cave shrine, 145 sadhus left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for Baltal along with 1,313 pilgrims early this morning.

The sadhus usually prefer to take the Pahalgam route to the shrine, which is longer than the Baltal route.

However, due to heavy snowfall on the Pahalgam route this year, the authorities have not opened the route for the pilgrimage.

So, some of the Sadhus today decided to take the Baltal route.

“We always go via the Pahalgam route as it is the traditional route. But this year due to heavy snow, we were not allowed to take that route. So, now we have decided to go via Baltal,” said Swami Vasudev Anand Giri from Haridwar.

“I appreciate the decision of the Shrine Board to not allow us via Pahalgam because the life of the pilgrims is more important than anything else. Whosoever wants to go via Pahalgam, should wait for a few days. We have to go back to our ashram early, so we are going via Baltal,” Anand Giri said.

The third batch of pilgrims comprised 1,097 men, 203 women, 13 children and 145 Sadhus, including six women sadhus. The batch left for the Baltal base camp at 4:40 am from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in 46 vehicles.

It was the first batch of sadhus which proceeded towards the shrine this year. “I have to reach Haridwar ashram on July 3, so I cannot wait for the opening of the Pahalgam route. I am leaving via Baltal,” said Swami Parmanand Saraswati, another sadhu.

The decision to open the Pahalgam route will be taken tomorrow by the authorities after assessing the ground situation.

Srinagar, June 29
Two pilgrims, identified as Suresh Yadav from Varanasi and Dara Singh from Bathinda, were crushed to death when two boulders rolled down the mountain near the Amarnath cave shrine at 6.25 am today.

An official statement said the two young men were killed when they were coming down the steps of the shrine after paying obeisance.

On being informed about the incident, Governor NN Vohra asked Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board Chief Executive Officer RK Gupta and Additional Chief Executive Officer Preet Pal Singh to proceed to the shrine to assess the threat posed by rolling stones and take the required action.

The CEO and the Additional CEO immediately left for the holy cave in a state helicopter. After assessing the ground situation and holding consultation with the camp directors and security officers located at the shrine, the CEO gave instructions regarding the immediate reconnaissance of the hill side from which the rocks had rolled down. The CEO received assistance from the Army.

The CEO made arrangements for the bodies of the deceased to be transported from holy cave to Sonamarg for completion of legal and other formalities. The next of kin of the deceased are being contacted and all required support will be provided for their cremation or for the bodies to be transported to their native places.

Both the deceased were duly registered yatris, as revealed by the documents recovered from their bodies. According to the shrine board’s policy, any registered pilgrim who dies in any accident in the yatra area during the pilgrimage period will be provided an insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh.

On return to Srinagar, in consultation with the Governor, who is chairman of the shrine board, the CEO announced that besides the insurance money, the next of kin of the deceased, after due verification, would also be provided ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh on behalf of the board. The chairman also directed that expenditure on the transportation of the deceased to their native places would be borne by the board. The chairman and the CEO have conveyed their heartfelt sympathy to the families of the two pilgrims who lost their lives in this morning’s accident.

Tral (Kashmir), June 29
Funerals of Kashmir’s militants, whose numbers are depleting with every encounter with security forces, are attracting hundreds of young men and teenage boys as their lives and deaths are getting ‘weaved into legend and lore’.

For three years and eight months, Adil Mir was a wanted member of Kashmir’s new generation of militants. He was a ‘dead man walking’ and a ‘living martyr’ to many, including his father, who knew him as a modest and deeply religious boy. For security forces, he was a terrorist.

Adil was born in Dadsara village of the Tral area in the late 1980s, when Kashmir’s militancy was in its infancy. Quarter of a century later, there were 35 militants, including many foreigners, buried in the village graveyard. Adil became the 36th on Friday morning. Adil’s brother Nayeem Mir, who was killed in a gunfight in September 2010, had been buried in the same graveyard.

Tral is made up of several dozen villages and lies on the western edge of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. It is nestled along the ridges on small hillocks with picturesque terrain and rejuvenating streams that crisscross Tral’s sleepy villages. It is home to many of Kashmir’s new generation militants, some born after the eruption of militancy.

On Thursday evening, police and Army personnel laid siege of a house in Tral’s Buchoo village and three militants, Mir and his associates Adil Shah and Tariq Parray, were killed in a swift operation that ended within an hour. Tariq was a postgraduate student and the youngest of the trio. He had joined militant ranks immediately after the death of three other militants last year.

Their funerals were held on Friday morning and attracted hundreds of young men and teenage boys, wailing women and greying men. Slogans were shouted, vowing support to insurgency, which had been increasingly losing its rank and file in deadly encounters, but showing little signs of an immediate end.

As people rushed from one funeral spot to another and yet another, it created congestion on roads in Tral as hundreds jostled for a last view of the slain men. Mir and his two associates are being termed as martyrs in Tral’s villages and by separatists. In cyber space, their photographs were uploaded with eulogies. In death, these militants are leaving a ‘legacy’ and providing an ‘elixir’ to the dying militancy and dormant separatism.

An official of state police’s counter-insurgency wing, which has an understanding of the region’s militancy, said the deaths in south Kashmir were a major influencing factor for indecisive recruits. The official said the death of a local militant was a differentiating factor between militancy of south Kashmir and north Kashmir.

“In north Kashmir, militancy has been contained because security forces have been able to arrest many local militants. Most of those getting killed in south Kashmir are local militants. It creates the image of a hero in the village and prepares someone else to fill the void,” the official said.

Another official, posted in one of the four districts of south Kashmir, denied that the militants were becoming an inspiration. “There is no support to militancy. We receive inputs everyday which leak movement of militants. If there was support for them, people would have protected them and given them shelter. No one responds to their knocks at the evening,” the official said.

Adil had become divisional commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen after several top militants were killed over the last few years. He had grown long hair and beard. His entry into militancy, though influenced by his religiosity, was triggered by the killing of his brother in 2010. Within a fortnight, Adil had become a militant and gone into hiding inside dense jungles and hideouts of Tral, like the one where he was killed.

Jammu, June 29
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the state on July 4, the BJP-led NDA regime has “principally agreed” to provide ISD facility to trans-LoC traders and people travelling on the peace bus from Chakan da Bagh and Salamabad crossing points in Poonch and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

For the past almost quarter of a century, when militancy erupted in the state in 1990, there has been an embargo on ISD calling to Pakistan and Pak-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

“At a high-level meeting attended by Joint Secretary, Kashmir Affairs, RK Srivastava; Deputy Secretary Sulekha; Principal Secretary, Home, Suresh Kumar; Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and IG (CID), J&K, B Srinivas in Srinagar yesterday, the BSNL authorities were asked to put in place landline and other related infrastructure at the two trade centers,” said custodian of the Chakan da Bagh Trade Centre, Mohammed Bashir Lone.

He said after the issue of non-existent ISD facility vis-à-vis hardships faced by the traders and passengers was raised in the meeting, Srivastava asked the BSNL Deputy General Manager to initiate the exercise to have landline telephone facilities at the two trade centers.

“He principally agreed upon providing ISD facility to LoC traders and passengers subject to consent of the Ministry of Home Affairs,” said Lone.

“At present, there is no landline facility between Chakan da Bagh and Poonch, just 7 km apart. And because of very poor BSNL mobile network in the border area, we have to travel 14 km to and fro to make even a local call to state officials,” he said.

Apart from ISD calling to Pakistan, full-body truck scanners and increasing the cash limit to Rs 50,000 per passenger traveling to Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir also came up for the discussion, the official said.

President, Chamber of LoC Trade, J&K, Pawan Anand and general secretary Krishan Singh, however, rued the attitude of the state government saying that no one deemed it appropriate to inform them about the visit of a Home Ministry team.

“How can they raise issues of LoC trade before the visiting team without having traders in the meeting? They deliberately didn’t invite us,” said Anand.

He also said approving of ISD landline facility at trade centers would serve little purpose.

“It would be conventional in this age of information technology. The facility should be given on our cell phones like our counterparts in Pakistan, who make calls to us directly from their mobile phones. Presently, we either have to go to Punjab or book an ISD call via Saudi Arabia to talk to our Pakistani counterparts,” he said.

Rajouri, June 29
The Jhangar Battalion under the aegis of the Nowshera Brigade today organised a registration and measurement camp to provide free of cost artificial limbs to victims of mine or other blasts in areas near to the Line of Control.

The Nowshera Brigade under the command of Brigadier Pratik Sharma has been organising various events ahead of the Jhangar Liberation Day celebrations on July 3.

The measurement and registration camps were held at the women empowerment cell, Nowshera, and Usman Hospital at Jhangar.

The Army has been providing artificial limbs to beneficiaries in collaboration with a New Delhi-based NGO.

The registration and measurement of POP casts will continue till June 29.

A spokesman of the Nowshera Brigade said 47 patients had registered and measured for free POP casts till today.

Fully prepared and functional limbs will be provided to the victims on or before July 3, said the officer.

Commemorating the recapture of Jhangar in 1948, the Nowshera Brigade also organised a painting and essay writing competition for school students of nearby tehsils of Nowshera at the Butalia Auditorium.

A total of 125 children from 28 schools of the Nowshera area participated in the competition in three categories, primary, middle and higher secondary.

The event provided the young and fertile minds of the area a platform to express their ideas and feelings through painting and essay writing, said a senior Army officer.

On the occasion, Commander of the Nowshera Brigade interacted with the media and stressed upon the importance of extracurricular activities, besides academic curriculum.

Certificate of excellence were given to all participants. The prize winners will be announced on July 2 during a sound and light show being organised by the Nowshera Brigade on the eve of Jhangar Day. 

Jammu, June 29
With growing public resentment against frequent power cuts in the state, the Power Development Department (PDD) is mulling purchase of 150 MW from the northern grid to meet the summer electricity demand.

Sources said despite directions passed by the government last year that the PDD would strictly avoid any additional purchase of power from the northern grid keeping in view financial implications, the growing demand for energy had left the department with no option but to buy more power.

Officials said the final decision would be taken in the next few days as power purchase needed approval of the Finance Department. During 2012-13, it had sanctioned an additional amount of Rs 200 crore for the purpose apart from the budgetary provision.

“We are making arrangements to get additional electricity from the northern grid. Since April, efforts have been made to ensure regular supply to consumers, particularly in the Jammu region,” said Shehnaz Goni, Chief Engineer, PDD.

Power shortage is a perennial problem in Jammu and Kashmir. The PDD has been resorting to unscheduled power cuts to meet the demand despite the fact that crores have been invested in development of power infrastructure during the last two decades.

Though the PDD blames it on the excessive burden on grid stations caused by the unregistered load, which is leading to further tripping of transformers, officials maintain that the department has failed to ensure regular power supply even in areas which are paying regular rent, mostly because of poor maintenance and electricity theft.

The power requirement of J&K was 2,300 MW, but there is a shortfall of between 650 MW and 700 MW compared to the availability of 1,650 MW from all sources. This has to be distributed between the Jammu region and Kashmir. Chief Engineer (O&M) Ajay Gupta said, “The heat is creating problems in our systems and transformers and regular checks are being carried out to ensure smooth supply.”

Jammu, June 29
The warring factions of the state Congress have come together to mount pressure on the party high command to expel former parliamentarian and senior leader Choudhary Lal Singh for “dubious role” in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Loyalists of former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz have raised concerns about Lal Singh’s involvement in “anti-party activities” and want his ouster from the Congress.

The supporters of the beleaguered leader have, however, raised a banner of revolt against both Azad and Soz for, what they alleged, encouraging factionalism in the party.

Highly placed sources in the Congress said during the meeting of party leaders at Srinagar last week, Soz had sought to draw attention of All India Congress Committee general secretary Ambika Soni towards “anti-party activities” of Lal Singh.

Sources said Soz had alleged that it was all due the “anti-party activities” of Singh that Azad had lost the Lok Sabha elections from the Udhampur-Doda seat.

Soz had suggested that Singh should be “expelled from the party” for this role in Lok Sabha elections to maintain discipline in the party.

“Ambika Soni, who is in charge of the J&K Congress, refused to take such a harsh action against Choudhary Lal Singh at this juncture,” a source said, adding that she, however, assured strict action would be taken if his involvement was established in anti-party activities during the Lok Sabha elections.

Loyalists of Azad have started a campaign to mount pressure on the high command to expel Choudhary Lal Singh from the party for his “dubious role in Lok Sabha elections”. Some of Azad’s supporters had reportedly written a letter to the high command against Lal Singh.

Lal Singh, who had won two successive Lok Sabha elections from Udhampur-Doda seat, was denied ticket this time around and in his place fromer Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had contested election on the seat.

Miffed over the decision of the high command, Lal Singh had not campaigned for Azad.

The Congress high command, while denying ticket to Lal Singh, had promised to accommodate him as MLC, but after Azad’s defeat both factions have been targeting him.

Azad’s loyalists want to settle score with him for sabotaging their leader’s campaign, while Soz wants to accommodate one of his loyalists as MLC by highlighting Lal Singh’s role in the LS polls.

The Legislative Council seat, which was earlier promised to Lal Singh, is vacant since April this year. 

Srinagar, June 29
The main opposition Peoples of the state Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today dissolved the district committees of Pulwama and Shopian with immediate effect.

President of the Peoples Democratic Party has nominated Syed Abdul Bari Andrabi as district president for Pulwama and Mohammad Yousuf Bhat as district president for Shopian, a party spokesperson said.

The spokesman said two other office-bearers would be nominated soon. 

Srinagar, June 29
Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir today said the state government was determined to fulfil people’s aspirations with the promise to provide transparent and good governance for speedy development.

Mir, who was addressing a series of public meetings at remote and far-flung hamlets of Chanachak and Chak-i-Frasta Reshi in north Kashmir’s Tangmarg area, also took stock of progress of works on roads being constructed from Chak-i-Frasta Reshi to Zandapal and Ganiwan to Zandabal.

The minister directed the executing agencies to speed up the pace of work and macadamise the roads before the onset of winter.

Mir asserted government was focused on providing basic amenities to the people of remote and inaccessible areas.

“The government has endeavoured to promote tourism and agricultural activities in the area while as several schemes have been launched for youth to set up their self income generating units,” Mir said. 

Rajouri, June 29
General line teachers of Rajouri district would hold a protest rally under the banner of General Line Teachers Forum on July 1 to protest the government decision to regularize the five year service period of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) instructors.

During a meeting held here the members of the newly constituted forum elected Vikrant Sharma as the district president of the body. Gulfraz Ahmed will be the general secretary, while Shakti Sagar will hold the responsibility of secretary. Arvind Sharma will be the media in charge

Addressing the teachers, Vikrant Sharma said the state government has “derailed the system” by giving five year service benefit to Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers in their promotion.

He said the decision of state government was “politically motivated”.

“The Education Department was having a proper promotion policy for all the permanent teachers. By including ReTs in this the government has distorted the system. General line teachers will get affected by the decision,” he said.

Vikrant Sharma appealed all the teachers of Rajouri district to participate in the July 1 rally and urged the government to take back its decision.

Jammu, June 29
Jammu State Morcha (JSM) MLA from Bishnah Ashwani Sharma today said his party was committed to the cause of the Jammu region.

The party is committed to issues such as ending discrimination with Jammu, addressing issues of all refugees and problems of border people.

Addressing a ‘vikaas’ rally at Rahal village in Bishnah this afternoon, Sharma listed a number of development works done by him at the village, including construction of roads, starting work on a bridge over the Aik nullah, linking internal roads, improving sanitation facilities and upgrading electricity receiving station.

He said, “Today, Rahal village can boast of development in the last five and a half years. All development works undertaken in the village will be completed soon. While some of the works have already been completed, some are under completion.” He said work on the bridge over the Aik nullah had been stalled due to a technical problem and would be resumed soon.

The MLA Bishnah said some more development works would also be started in Rahal soon. “We will develop Rahal as an important village of the Bishnah tehsil, equipping it will all possible facilities such as power, water, roads, sanitation, education and health.”

Sharma said as the Assembly elections were approaching, he would seek votes from the people so that he works for another six years to make Bishnah a model Assembly segment. — TNS

Kupwara, June 29
Hailstorm damaged fruit trees, paddy crop and vegetables in many parts of Kupwara district last evening.

Gusty winds followed by a hailstorm damaged trees and disrupted power supply in many areas, including Braripora, Chotipora, Kulangam, Darishpora, Chogal, Hayhama, Charkote, Warnow and Shatmuqam. “The hailstorm lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes and damaged paddy, maize, fruit and vegetables,” said Ghulam Hassan Mir, a farmer from Chotipora.

Another farmer Wali Mohammad Khan from Hayhama said, “We were expecting a good yield this year but the storm inflicted about 60 per cent damage on fruit and crops.”

The winds also disrupted power supply in many areas leaving people in darkness.

“The power supply got snapped round 7 pm yesterday and is yet to be restored,” said Ahmadullah Shah from Warnow.

A senior official of the district administration said: “Teams of horticulture and revenue have been sent to the affected areas today to assess the losses caused by the hailstorm.” — OC

Jammu, June 29
Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma on Sunday said the government was committed to ensuring equitable development of all regions of the state and a well-conceived programme had been devised to upgrade basic amenities.

The minister was addressing a public meeting at Muthi Maira in Akhnoor tehsil, which was attended by a large number of people, local sarpanches and panches and senior officers of various departments.

Sharma listened to the grievances of the people and issued instructions for early redress of the same. The issues which were highlighted by the people pertained to improvement in drinking water supply, medicare facilities, road connectivity, electricity and other basic amenities.

Interacting with the people on the occasion, the minister said better healthcare, education, power and road connectivity were priority sectors and the government was paying attention to upgrade those.

He sought people’s cooperation in implementing all government schemes so that benefits of such schemes reached the needy.

Sharma also asked them to maintain close liaison with the administration to ensure development of their areas.

Srinagar, June 29
The holy month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, will begin tomorrow in Kashmir. Muslims will fast for 17 hours from dawn to dusk amid the heat.

Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Maulana Bashir-ud-Din declared on Sunday that Ramadan would be observed in the Valley from Monday.

In many parts of the world, including the United Arab Emirates, Europe and the United States, the month of Ramadan began on Sunday.

The month of fasting would mark the observance of fasts of the longest duration in the Kashmir valley over the last three decades.

For the next 30 days, prayers, religious congregations and evening feasts would be a common sight throughout the Valley.

Various social and religious institutions had issued their Ramadan calendars, specifying the exact timings of keeping the fast during the wee hours and breaking the fast in the evenings.

The Consumer Affairs and Price Distribution, Department conducted an inspection of various rice, sugar and wheat ration depots in the city to ensure sufficient availability of essential food commodities throughout the month of Ramadan.

People did some last-minute shopping ahead of the auspicious month for stocking LPG cylinders, fruits, vegetables and juices.

For a majority of Valley residents, the spirit of gratefulness and patience lived on, notwithstanding the challenge posed by the long duration of fasts in summer.

“Although a 17-hours fast is difficult, I have been fasting every year. It has become a habit. It is a challenging experience, but the boost I get after completing the fast at the end of the day is overwhelming,” said Arifa Jabeen, a housewife.

The sale of special food, including dates, energy drinks, custards and non-vegetarian items, saw a considerable rise with a day to go for Ramadan.

Srinagar, June 29
Governor NN Vohra has greeted the people on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan and hoped that this auspicious occasion will be a harbinger of peace, amity, communal harmony, brotherhood, progress and prosperity in the state.

In his message, the Governor said the holy month of Ramadan was a period dedicated to fasting, service and prayers and highlighted the values of patience, self-restraint, tolerance and austerity, which promoted the feelings of compassion and respect for others. The Governor prayed for the well-being of the people of the state.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while extending Ramadan greetings, wished that the month would be a harbinger of well-being, progress and prosperity for mankind.

In his message, the Chief Minister prayed for peace and development in the state and the rest of the country. He said the holy month provided the occasion to seek God’s munificence and forgiveness.

Extending his good wishes to the people, the Chief Minister expressed the confidence that while seeking blessings of the Almighty during the holy month of Ramadan, devotees would pray for peace and development in the state as well.

Lt Gen Subrata Saha, Chinar Corps Commander, and all soldiers of the Chinar Corps extended their best wishes to Kashmiris.

“Army personnel have the utmost regard for the divine flavour of this month and will facilitate celebrations of festivities across the Valley,” read an official press note.

Srinagar, June 29
The Committee of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council on Tourism under the chairmanship of MLC Naeem Akhtar Andrabi inspected ongoing work of the Tourism Department on Sunday.

The sites included the TRC Nowgam, the TRC Srinagar (City Centre Complex), Makdoom Sahib cable car project, Hari Parbat Fort, Boat Club and Nigeen Lake.

The committee members were briefed about the progress of the ongoing work by a team of officers headed by Director Tourism Talat Parvez.

nspecting TRC Nowgam, the committee members stressed regular upkeep and maintenance of the complex. They appreciated the role of the Tourism Department in the ropeway project. They recommended that the Nigeen pedestal and lake discovery cell should be expedited.

The members who were a part of the committee were MLCs Rani Gargi Biloeria, Jehangir Hussain Mir and Aga Syed Ahmed Rizvi. Officers of the Tourism Department and Council Secretariat accompanied the committee members.

Srinagar, June 29
Barbed wires and concertina spread outside the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker in the residential area of Wazir Bagh is causing inconvenience to local residents as they have to struggle after their clothes get stuck in wire coils most of the time.

Residents of Wazir Bagh in the city centre said they had appealed to the authorities time and again about the removal of unnecessary wires from the area near the CRPF posts.

“The wires are causing inconvenience to us, especially children when they are playing. It is too difficult for us to walk amid the wires as animals and children often get stuck,” said a resident of the area.

In 2012, 10-year-old Muskan got injured after getting stuck in the wires, as a result of which she had to be given 10 stitches on her head.

The residents said with Ramadan beginning tomorrow, it would be difficult for people to go to mosques for dawn and night prayers as the fear of getting stuck in wires loomed large in the area.

“We went to many officials and appealed to the CRPF, but despite assurances from all quarters, nothing had been done so far. We want the wires to be removed,” a group of residents said.

Last week, a public interest litigation was filed before the State Human Rights Commission, demanding the removal of razor wires and concertina from roads and footpaths in residential areas of Srinagar, which had been causing inconvenience to people and restricting the movement of vehicles.

Taking cognisance of the plea demanding removal of concertina from main roads and link roads to clear the way for pedestrians and vehicles in the city, the State Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Home department and the civil, police and CRPF administration to file objections on June 10.

Concertina could be spotted around Army camps, CRPF pickets, police stations and vital installations like offices, banks and post offices, besides being used for blocking roads and pathways at places.

Health officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation recently shot off a letter to the CRPF Inspector General, asking him to start the process of removing concertina from the city.

Srinagar, June 29
In brazen violation of the Srinagar Master Plan, encroachments are learnt to have increased in the city’s Chinar Bagh area, adding to the deterioration of the world-famous Dal Lake.

Tin sheds have been erected, but officials do not seem not interested in taking up the issue of violation of the Master Plan on the periphery of the Dal Lake.

“Why should the government wait for orders from the High Court? It is not hidden, but is in the heart of the city,” said a resident of the Raj Bagh area.

“It seems that some shops will appear and Chinar Bagh will die quietly,” said a local resident of Dalgate.

In a clear violation of norms of the Srinagar Master Plan, dozens of permanent structures have come up on the bundh side behind the golf course.

A long line of newly constructed flats is on the banks, punctuating the landscape of the world-famous Dal Lake. The constructions have been done a month ago, according to local residents.

The houses in Chinar Bagh are inhabited by fishermen and their families. Some of them live in boats while others live in temporary huts made of wood and tin.

According to the plan, residents of interior areas of the Dal Lake were supposed to be shifted to somewhere else in the city as part of government rehabilitation to save the tourist spot.

Some families from the Dal Lake and Tchuntkul had already been shifted to the Boatman Colony in Bemina as the place had been declared construction-free by the government. Some families are yet to be rehabilitated.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Shah said he would look into the matter and bring it to notice of officials concerned.

Environmentalists consider the revival of Chuntkul imperative for conservation of the Dal Lake. They said Chuntkul played a crucial role in maintaining the water budget of the lake and carrying its water into the Jhelum.

“If the waterway gets choked, it will affect the lake’s restoration,” said an environmentalist in the city.

Bringing the issue to the notice of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the Deputy Commissioner said they had taken up the issue with the Department of Flood and Irrigation.

“We have already told them about the encroachments and will definitely take action,” said Dr GN Qasba.

Lake and Waterways Development Authority Vice Chairman Shafat Noor said he would take up the issue of rehabilitating families with the Kashmir Divisional Commissioner to save Chinar Bagh.

“We have already rehabilitated some families, but some are still there. I will take up the matter with the Divisional Commissioner again,” he said.

Srinagar, June 29
The Board of Professional for Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) declared the results of Common Entrance Test-2014 today in which 1,407 candidates were declared successful in physics, chemistry, biology (PCB) stream. 

Jassimran Singh is the topper in the PCB stream having scored 190.2 out of 210 points. The second in the list is Bilaval Suhaib and Tufail Ashoor having scored 187 and 182 points, respectively. Around 25,000 candidates had appeared in the test earlier this month. — TNS

Srinagar, June 29
The nine-day-long ‘Big Summer Festival’, which included a wide range of events aimed at highlighting the local tradition and culture, concluded with a rare photo exhibition inside a 19th century hilltop fort here last evening.

The heritage-based painting competition and photo exhibition, held last evening inside the recently opened 19th century fort atop a hillock in the old city, was the concluding event of the festival.

The fort, built in early 19th century by the then Afghan governor of the region, was recently thrown open for public as the latest attraction on tourist map of the Valley. It had remained shut for the past two decades due to security reasons.

Director Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Parvez said the summer festival received an “overwhelming” response.

The summer festival, organised by the state’s Tourism Department, included flat and white water rafting, mountain running, paragliding, trekking, shikarathon, water sports, half marathon, triathlon, sport climbing and cyclothon.

A jewelry show and live performances by singers Hans Raj Hans and Nikhil D’souza were also part of the nine-day-long festivity.

The festival was inaugurated on June 21 by Tourism Minister GA Mir, with an aim to extend the stay of tourists in the region.

The Tourism Department had also organised a wrestling competition at Doodpathri and water sports competition at the Zero Bridge here. The flat water rafting championship, held here on Jhelum river yesterday, was the first such event to be organized in the region.

Jammu, June 29
The Naushera Brigade today organised a painting and essay writing competition to commemorate the re-capture of Jhangar in 1948.

Around 125 children from 28 different schools of Naushera participated in the competition, Jammu-based Defence spokesperson said. The children were grouped in three categories — primary, middle and higher secondary level —for the event. The event provided young and fertile minds of the region a platform to express their ideas and feelings through painting and essay writing, the spokesperson said.

Commander of the Naushera Garrison, on the occasion, stressed upon the importance of extra-curricular activities.

The participants were also provided certificate of excellence at the end of the competition. The winners of the competition will be announced on July 2. 

Srinagar, June 29
The six-day Kashmir Lavender Festival concluded here today. An organiser of the event said the festival got a good response here and would be made an annual affair.

While such festivals are regularly held in Europe, the festival was organised for the first time in the country to showcase and highlight the rich indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants to attract entrepreneurs and tourism stakeholders.

“This festival showcased the rich biodiversity with the focus on the frontline aromatic crops like lavender, rose and rosemary,” an official said.

“During the last six days, live demonstration of paintings using different media were held besides on-the-spot painting competition by students, video shows and lectures on lavender and self-guided tours of lavender fields,” he added.

Srinagar, June 29
Two girls committed suicide in the last 24 hours, the police said on Sunday.

A police spokesman said a girl, whose name had been withheld, jumped into the Jhelum at Sonwar in the city. The girl was a resident of the Sonwar locality. Efforts were on to retrieve the body from the river.

In the other incident, a girl from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district attempted suicide by sprinkling kerosene on herself and setting herself afire. She was taken to a hospital in the city, where she succumbed to her injuries. — TNS

Katra, June 29
The Army and the police today busted a hideout in the general area of Mahore in Reasi district.

The Defence spokesperson said based on specific inputs about the presence of a hideout, a joint operation was launched by Rashtriya Rifles troops and the police in the general area of Mahore today.

One AK Rifle, one AK magazine, 128 AK rounds, five fired-case AK, one IED with explosive (2.5 kg), one IED circuit and a Chinese hand grenade were recovered. The items were wrapped in a plastic sheet and hidden under bushes. — TNS

Jammu, June 29
Lack of awareness about rabies and poor medical facility has led to the death of a 21-year-old in Dedpeth village of Kishtwar.

Ayaz Khan was bitten by a dog couple of months ago, but due to sheer ignorance he did not get the medical attention at the right time died due to hydrophobia.

Ayaz didn’t inform us about the incident and perhaps took it lightly. It was only one and a half month after the incident that he complained of pain in his arm and we took him to a doctor, said Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, Ayaz’s brother.

“Doctors at District Hospital, Kishtwar, were not able to diagnose the problem. They gave some pain killers and sent Ayaz back home. But when pain increased we went to a private clinic where one of the doctors diagnosed rabies and referred Ayaz to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar,” said Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, brother of deceased.

Imtiaz said after the diagnosis a team comprising officials of the Health Department and Veterinary Service visited their home with the vaccine, but alleged that they gave a lesser dose to the patient than prescribed.

“As per the information provided on the vaccine wrapper 0.5 ml had to be injected, but the officials limited the dosage to 0.2 ml which didn’t have any impact,” he said, adding that today Ayaz was to be provided a second dose of medicine, but no one from the Health Department visited their home.

Ayaz was pursuing Bachelor of Arts from Indira Gandhi National Open University

Dog menace has increased drastically in the entire Kishtwar and everyday scores of dog bite cases are being registered at various hospitals and health centres across the district.

Imtiaz said the district administration must put an end to the dog menace and organise campaigns to make people aware about rabies so that no one dies of the disease in future.