Jammu, August 20
The Health Department constituted a two-member committee to hold an inquiry into the death of a pregnant woman at Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, here this afternoon.

Family members and relatives of the deceased held a protest at the hospital, alleging that the woman died due to the negligence of doctors. They demanded that the doctors, who allegedly did not provide timely treatment to the deceased, should be strictly punished.

Dr Mohammad Younis, Medical Superintendent, Gandhi Nagar hospital, said the department had constituted a two-member committee to ascertain the facts. “The committee, including the Deputy Director (Headquarters), will submit its report tomorrow,” he said, adding that the committee members visited the hospital and recorded the statements of the doctors on duty and family members of the deceased.

The Medical Superintendent said, “As per the information provided to me, the woman was pregnant and brought to the hospital at 2.07 pm today. She was anaemic and suffering from hypertension. Her blood pressure was 180/90 mmHg, which was quite high in case of a pregnant woman. She collapsed soon after she was brought to the hospital.”

Dr Younis said the baby was already dead in the womb. “There were some elements who tried to play mischief by flaring up the emotions of the family members and relatives of the deceased. The inquiry committee will probe all the aspects and submit its report tomorrow,” he added.

Meanwhile, the protesting family members and relatives raised slogans against the hospital administration and alleged that the woman died due to the negligence of doctors. They alleged that the woman, who was “very critical”, was not given timely treatment, which resulted into her death.

Later, the hospital authorities pacified them and assured them that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident.

Jammu, August 20
Demanding withdrawal of the National Pension Act and fast-track regularisation of services of daily wagers, activists of the J&K Coordination Committee of Trade Unions (JKCCTU) held a protest against the anti-employees policies of the government.

The day-long protest was observed on the call of the All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF), which is opposing the new pension Bill introduced by the Central and state government. It is also demanding filling of all vacant posts through permanent appointments and regularisation of services of all the temporary employees.

Speaking on the occasion, general secretary of the JKCCTU Gurmeet Singh alleged that the government is pursuing the anti-employees policies, which are very harmful for the entire working class in the country. He said the policy of outsourcing and privatisation and attack on social security system like pension have aggravated the situation and workers are being forced to come on the streets now.

He urged the state government to implement the promises made to the unions regarding the regularisation of services of contractual workers.

The regularisation process of thousands of daily rate workers (DRW) and causal labourers in Jammu and Kashmir is getting delayed as respective departments have failed to submit details to the subcommittee constituted by the government for the purpose.

The state Cabinet had approved the mechanism for the regularisation of services of daily wagers in 2009, with directions passed to department to furnish details about the workers, so that financial and legal issues could be sorted out.

Jammu, August 20
The Jammu Private Schools and ETT Institutes Association (Progressive) today said the School Education Department of J&K has turned out to be a money-minting transfer industry.

Deep Singh, president of the association, said, “Thanks to the local print media for exposing lack of basic facilities in many primary schools of Jammu. The published data of schools of Jammu district, where 156 schools lack drinking water facilities, 205 are running from single rooms and 57 from rented accommodations, is sufficient to measure the hollow claims of development by the state government.”

He added that a disclosure of enrollment and monthly salaries, besides other expenditure of such schools, could be more interesting if it would have been published.

“As per media reports, the School Education Department of the state has been emerging as money-minting transfer industry for the ministry concerned and nobody bothers about the rectification of the prevailing system,” a press note from the association claimed.

“Nobody within the government or the so-called civil society is ready to question the corrupt and casual approach of the persons at the helm of the affairs,” it observed.

The body alleged that all drafted provisions of the SRO-123 are being merely mended for private schools, which are already facing a lot of economical and other challenges. It added that qualified, unemployed and frustrated youth were engaged as teachers at low salaries due to weak economical conditions, but nobody within the government is ready for a supportive role.

“The ongoing role of the Union HRD Ministry of being a silent spectator is demoralising for the stakeholders and the public in general is waiting for the expected blueprint of the Centre Government in the education sector,” the association said.

Jammu, August 20
The Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof Mohan Paul Singh Singh Ishar, today felicitated Rajesh Kumar, research scholar of the Department of Statistics, on being selected for the prestigious Indian Statistical Services (ISS), the exam for which was conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The UPSC conducts the ISS examination to recruit Group A officers in the Planning Commission, Planning Board, Ministry of Economic Affairs, National Sample Survey and other allied offices where specialists in economics and statistics are required.

The VC congratulated the faculty members of the department for this achievement and stressed upon further motivation of other students to excel in such type of competitive examinations at the national level.

Prof Rahul Gupta, Head of Department, also apprised the Vice Chancellor of achievements of other students of the department who have recently been selected in other national level competitive examinations.

Dr Pawan Kumar, Dr Parmil Kumar and Dr Vijay Shivgotra, all faculty members, were also present during the felicitation.

Nagrota (Jammu), August 20
Exhorting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to intensify their campaign against the National Conference (NC), Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday said a direct attack on NC leaders would help the BJP meet the target of “Plus 44” seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.

She said targeting NC leaders would help the BJP galvanise support in every region of the state, claiming that every section of society had been bearing the brunt of “misdeeds and misgovernance” of the state government headed by Omar Abdullah.

Smriti’s suggestion to expose NC leaders assumed importance as it came amid allegations that BJP leaders, especially some MLAs, were hand-in-glove with the ruling party. She had chosen the Nagrota Assembly segment for giving this clear message as the NC had announced Chief Minister’s close aide Devender Singh Rana as the party candidate.

Addressing a function in Jammu on June 16, Omar charged BJP MLAs with bartering peoples’ interests for petty personal gains. After the Chief Minister’s “expose” created a storm in BJP’s circles, its Legislature Party leader Ashok Khajuria had announced that he would to file a defamation case against Omar. Two months on, nothing had been done in this regard.

On the second day of her tour in the Jammu region to interact with booth-level workers, Smriti gave lessons to workers in the Nagrota Assembly segment, home constituency of Lok Sabha member and state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma.

Like Tuesday, the media was barred from covering deliberations on Wednesday. Sources said Smriti asserted that the BJP would contest the upcoming Assembly elections in the state to form the government on its own in the state in a bid to boost the morale of the party cadre.

“Our youth wing leaders were not allowed to hoist the Tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. We have decided that a BJP chief minister will unfurl the national flag at Lal Chowk to give a befitting reply to those who had disallowed our workers from hoisting the Tricolour,” she said, reminding party workers about thestarted by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha chief Anurag Thakur in 2011.

Then Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley had been taken into custody by the state police and “ekta yatra” activists not allowed to enter Jammu and Kashmir. “We have made the country free from the Congress. It is time to make Jammu and Kashmir free from the NC,” she told BJP workers.

Srinagar, August 20
Separatist leader Shabir Shah, whose meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi resulted in an immediate cancellation of the Indo-Pak secretary-level talks, today spoke in a tough tone as he asked Kashmiri people to get ready for sacrifices.

“We will have deliberations about our future course. We already have a coordination with (Syed Ali) Geelani….We have seen a new face of India and we are not afraid of it, but I appeal to the people to be ready for big sacrifices,” said Shah, who heads a breakaway faction of the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference.

Shah’s hardened stand in the wake of his meeting with the Pakistani envoy that scuttled the Indo-Pak talks is distinct from the years of his pro-dialogue position. It is not, however, clear that how much of an impact Shah’s appeal will have on ground where moderates, like Shah, have lost a considerable foothold.

The separatist leader urged the people that “freedom will not come on a plate”. “Freedom needs sacrifices and you need to be ready for losses if you want to achieve freedom,” he added.

Shah’s meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in Delhi on Monday had led to cancellation of the scheduled foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan. Even as New Delhi cancelled the scheduled talks, Pakistan stuck a defiant note by meeting three more separatist leaders from Kashmir on Tuesday.

Shah said he had a detailed two-hour meeting with the Pakistani envoy and informed him that separatists want a Kashmir’s solution in a “peaceful way”. “I told him that Kashmir solution cannot be bilateral, but can be trilateral,” Shah said.

“I told him that while you have your issues like Sir Creek, water, trade, Siachen and nuclear, but the core issue which is hampering the movement is Kashmir and unless Kashmir is not addressed there will not be any movement,” Shah said.

Meanwhile, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani also returned home after his meeting with the Pakistani High Commissioner. Geelani was immediately placed under routine detention at his residence.

Rajouri, August 20
Eyeing the Assembly elections, former health minister and Rajouri MLA Shabir Ahmad Khan has started reaching out to the people of his constituency.

During the past two days, he had laid foundation stones of four road projects in Kakora area near Manjakot, his home town, worth Rs 5.44 crore. The projects will benefit around 9,000 persons in Thandapani, Bowli, Kakora, Kote and Kanyalgali Chawata areas.

Abdul Majeed Wani, XEN, Public Works Department, who accompanied the MLA, assured that the work would be executed soon and would be completed on priority in the larger interest of public.

Addressing the residents, Khan said, “Infrastructural development has remained the top priority of the Congress all over the state to ensure equitable development of all three regions of the state. In 2009, there was only 21% road connectivity, but in 2014, there is 71.5 % road connectivity in the state and 72% in Rajouri constituency.”

He added, “There is no alternative to the Congress as its ideology is socialistic, democratic and secular in nature and renders social justice to the people of India as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.”

He added that Paharis who had been struggling for reservation for the past 28 years had been granted 5 per cent reservation by the Chief Minister and a proposal would be placed for Cabinet nod.

Khan urged the workers to work at grass-roots level and ensure the party’s victory in the state.

Akhnoor, August 20
Ahead of Assembly elections, scheduled later this year, Congress leader Sham Lal Sharma on Wednesday said a Hindu could be the chief minister in the Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir, which would end regional discrimination.

He stressed on the need for a regional council for Jammu and a hill development council for the erstwhile Doda district and the Pir Panjal range.

Sharma was speaking during a ‘sadbhavna’ rally in his constituency Akhnoor to mark the 70th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The minister said Jammu has always faced disparity as people from the Valley got their share, but people in Jammu remained deprived of their share.

He said a Hindu could be the chief minister of the Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir. “In which constitution has it been written that a Hindu cannot be the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir?” he asked.

“If ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhary can be the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 12 per cent of the population, if a Sikh from two per cent of the population can be the Prime Minister for 10 years, if a Muslim can be the President, why can a Hindu not be the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir?” Sharma asked.

“Daily wagers from Kashmir get regularised, but people from Jammu are deprived of jobs in the government sector. It time to constitute a regional council for Jammu and a hill development council for Doda and Pir Panjal so that they get their due share,” he added.

Addressing a rally of more than 2,000 youths in Akhnoor, Sharma urged them to go in for education, hard work and active politics.

“We have strengthened medical facilities in the state. Infant mortality rate is zero in Akhnoor. Hundred per cent institutional delivery has put the state on top in rural healthcare facilities for three years,” he said.

“We have generated employment in Akhnoor constituency as well as in the state, but the youth have to work hard to compete for better jobs in all sectors,” he added.

Kargil, August 20
With an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections and no coalition compulsion, the National Conference (NC) has stepped up efforts to dislodge the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Asgar Ali Karbalie.

Local NC leaders in the Muslim-dominated Kargil opine that control over the hill council was important ahead of upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

“If we have to do well in the area in the Assembly elections, we have to get control over the LAHDC, Kargil,” senior NC leader and minister of state Feroz Ahmad Khan said.

Karbalie is from to the Congress. He had recently rebelled during the Lok Sabha poll and the Congress had been trying to woo back Karbalie.

“Our party is keen to dislodge Karbalie before the elections. We have informed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other party leaders about our plans,” said Khan, Zanaskar legislator.

The minister said the CEC did not have a majority and had failed to get passed the budget of the hill council, which was essential for development work in Kargil district. “The CEC should convene a session of the hill council and prove whether or not he has the majority,” said Khan.

NC councillors had moved a no-confidence motion against the CEC, who has not called any meeting of the hill council after the motion was moved. The CEC had recently moved the High Court to seek relief. Last month, the High Court had ordered that status quo should be maintained in the LAHDC, Kargil.

The CEC had prayed that directions should be issued to government to allow the present dispensation to continue working. He had moved the High Court as he expected attempts by NC councillors to derail the functioning of the hill council.

Elections to the LAHDC, Kargil, were held in August, 2013. The NC and the Congress had contested the elections separately despite being coalition partners in the state government.

Ten Congress candidates, eight NC nominees and eight independents were elected. Of the eight independents, five supported the Congress and three backed the NC. The government nominated four members to the hill council, who threw their weight behind the NC.

Local NC leaders had pointed out to the party leadership that there was no coalition compulsion and it was essential that the party took control of hill council.

“There is no coalition compulsion. The NC should not succumb to pressure and should throw out the CEC as he does not have a majority,” they added.

Karbalie said the NC had only 11 elected members in the hill council. “If it is in a majority, how am I heading the hill council?” he asked.

Jammu, August 20
With the National Conference (NC) all out to reap political benefit from the recent decision of the state government to grant five per cent reservation to Paharis, the faction-ridden Congress has arisen from slumber and decided to hold a convention in Rajouri to mobilise the community.

Besides north Kashmir, the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri are dominated by Paharis. The Congress has decided to start its campaign to mobilise Paharis from Rajouri to counter the NC in taking political benefit from the government’s decision.

The decisions to grant five per cent reservation to Paharis and enhance reservation to other backward classes (OBCs) from two per cent to four per cent were taken by the leadership of both parties.

It was decided that the announcement would be made at an appropriate time, but Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made the announcements on August 15.

“We will not allow the NC to take political benefit of the decisions taken by the state government,” a senior Congress leader said. He asked, “For nearly six years, the Congress was fighting for Paharis and OBCs. How can the NC take all credit?”

Sources said the Congress leadership had decided to rake up the issue of reservation for Paharis during the Rajouri convention.

The party leadership had given directions to its Pahari leaders to take the issue to the masses and try to give the message that reservation was granted to Paharis due to efforts of the Congress.

The sources said workers from Poonch and Rajouri districts would be called to the Saturday convention to devise a strategy to check the NC’s efforts to take credit. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz and other senior leaders were likely to attend the convention.

The Congress leadership had asked Backward Classes Development Board vice chairman Kuldeep Verma to educate OBCs about efforts of the Congress to get reservation enhanced.

He had been asked to convene meetings in different areas in general and Jammu province in particular to give the message to OBCs that the Congress leadership had kept its promise of enhancing reservation.

Srinagar, August 20
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, on Wednesday said Shopian constituency in south Kashmir was facing acute irrigation problems especially in Karewa area.

Addressing various roadside meetings in Shopian, she said inspite of having plenty of water bodies, the successive governments failed to harness the local water resources for irrigation of land in Karewa area. She said the people living in these areas faced immense problems due to scarcity of drinking water.

Mehbooba said horticulture could become a sustainable and remunerative sector only with adequate irrigation facilities.

“If the PDP forms the government, it will reorient the entire sector by providing irrigation facilities, pest control, introducing high-yielding varieties and establishing post-harvest marketing chain to get the best produce of our land,” she added.

Mehbooba said the demand for the construction of the Dubgan canal was genuine as it could irrigate large areas. She urged the government to provide relief and compensation to farmers, who suffered heavy losses due to bad climatic conditions.

The PDP chief, who represents south Kashmir in the Lok Sabha, said the Shopian constituency needed an infrastructure development plan to provide drinking water supply, ration and connect various areas in the constituency.

Jammu, August 20
After a day’s hiatus, Pakistani soldiers again violated the ceasefire by opening fire at Indian forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Balakote sector of Poonch district, prompting Indian soldiers to respond in equal measure.

“Pakistani soldiers of 651 started unprovoked firing from small arms and automatic weapons around 9.45pm last night,” said an intelligence source.

“They (Pak soldiers) had opened fire from their Tope Gedrian and other adjoining posts on the MS Tekri post and other posts of the Indian Army, prompting soldiers of the 15 Bihar Regiment to respond in equal measure. The gun-duel between the two sides lasted till 10.30 pm,” he added.

A defence spokesperson said there were no casualties or injuries on the Indian side.

With this, the total number of truce violations on the frontiers of the state has reached 81 this year.

There have been 11 ceasefire violations in the past 10 days along the Indo-Pak border by Pakistan and 13 such violations during this month.

Jammu, August 20
The All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) has again approached the administration to provide security to allow a group of 20 persons to visit the Kousar Nag lake during “pitra paksha” (days to perform rituals for ancestors) starting next month.

The committee has sent a letter to the Kulgam Deputy Commissioner, with copies to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister’s Office, seeking security to visit the glacial lake, revered by Hindus in Kashmir.

“Our request to visit the lake was accepted by the administration, but permission was denied at the last moment, creating an unnecessary and avoidable controversy. We are seeking the help of the administration again to perform the pilgrimage,” said APMCC chairman Vinod Pandit.

“We hope that the district administration will extend facilities to the group and send a clear message that the minority community has equal rights and religious freedom in Kashmir,” said King C Bharti, committee’s national spokesperson.

The committee, working in Kashmir for around 10 years, had helped Pandits reconnect with their roots by organising pilgrimages to historic and holy places.

As per Hindu beliefs, the lake, located at a height of 12,000 feet, is one of the two places in Kashmir associated with worship of ‘Vishnupad’, the place were Lord Vishnu had set his foot.

The other ‘Vishnupad’ shrine is located at Fatehpur in Dooru-Shahbad tehsil of Kashmir in the foothills of the Pir Panjal range, not far from the Verinag spring.

Srinagar, August 20
The body of a soldier, who had gone missing on the Siachen glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, was sent to his home in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.

Sources said 38-year-old Havildar Gaya Prasad of the 15 Rajput Regiment had gone missing from the Siachen glacier in 1996. He was declared dead by the Army after search operation failed to trace him.

“The body was retrieved last week by troops while patrolling the area,” Superintendent of Police, Leh, Sunil Gupta said.

“It took days to bring the body back. The body was dispatched to the soldier’s home in Uttar Pradesh today,” he added. Defence sources said the body was partly under snow and undecomposed.

“The patrol party found a letter in soldier’s pocket on which unit name was mentioned. So it became easy for troops deployed at the glacier to identify the slain solider,” said the defence sources.

“It would have been difficult to identify the slain solider, had there been no letter,” added the sources.

Prasad’s family was informed by the Army on Monday that his body had been found. Siachen is the world’s highest battleground where the weather is the biggest foe. The temperature drops to minus 45°C. India and Pakistan troops had agreed on a ceasefire in 2003, but thousands of troops are still deployed on both sides.

Srinagar, August 20
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and a delegation of businessmen from Turkey have decided to promote mutual trade and tourism activities on a joint basis.

KCCI secretary general Syed Musadiq Shah said the office-bearers and the executive committee members of the group held a meeting here last evening with a delegation of the Turkish Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry where discussions on various business promotion aspects were held.

He said the delegation was told that ample avenues were available for the Turkish businessmen to invest in areas of mutual business interests especially in the handicraft sector that included silk carpet and pashmina.

Stating that the Turkish delegation expressed keen interest in organising business promotion events for the KCCI in Turkey to showcase their products, Shah said: “They also assured the KCCI delegation that they can help promote Kashmir handicraft business online. The Turkish delegation also expressed their willingness to help promote joint ventures in tourism, construction industry, health, ceramics, furniture and textile.”

Shah said the delegation extended invitation to KCCI to visit Turkey between November 3 and 11 to interact with the businessmen in Turkey. He said the KCCI accepted the invitation and also invited the Turkish delegation to send businessmen on tours to the Valley. — TNS

Jammu, August 20
Dr Ashok Bhan, member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, accompanied by Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board, today visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence at Kakryal in Reasi district and took stock of the security arrangements required for the upcoming institute set up by the shrine board for providing multi-specialty medical services.

Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has been laying stress on the need to conduct critical appraisal of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) from the security perspective.

Dr Bhan conducted a detailed review of the same and advised the CEO and the engineering wing of the board to undertake certain interventions for ensuring security of the complex.

Later, Dr Bhan, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Council, inspected the ongoing works at the multi-purpose sports stadium, Katra, being established by the shrine board.

He inspected the works being undertaken to commission the complex early. He was informed that the main stadium building would be able to accommodate more than 2,000 spectators.

In addition to the main building, a basketball court and a volleyball court are ready. He was informed that the laying of natural grass turf in the ground was going on a fast pace, while the automatic pop-up sprinkle irrigation system had been already installed. He inspected various component works, including the entry gates, approach road and the boundary wall.

Dr Bhan impressed upon the CEO to ensure timely completion of the works.

He also visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Spiritual Growth Centre at Katra and took stock of various facilities made available for the pilgrims and visitors. He was informed about the recently launched website of the centre and the response being received on this account. He emphasised on the need for optimum utilisation of the facility.

Srinagar, August 20
The Northern Army Commander, Lt-Gen DS Hooda, visited the forwards posts in frontier Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Wednesday. He reviewed the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC).

Defence sources said Lt Gen Hooda, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, arrived on a two day visit to the Valley today.

“He visited forwards posts in Kupwara district and was briefed about the recent counter infiltration operations along the LoC in which many militants were killed,” the sources said, adding that “He was also briefed about the ongoing search operation in Tangdhar sector, where a militant was killed on Tuesday morning.”

The sources said Lt Gen Hooda also interacted with senior officers in Srinagar during his visit. 

Srinagar, August 20
The health wing of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) challaned several popular eateries for selling unhygienic food.

While conducting routine market checks, SMC health officer Dr Rubeena Shaheen yesterday prosecuted several food establishments in the city after finding them in unsanitary conditions, an SMC official said.

Rubeena, who was accompanied by municipal magistrate Khursheed-ul-Islam, inspected all the establishments of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) around the Lal Chowk area followed by other outlets, including Hotel Taj.

“The health officer has strictly warned all these establishment to maintain proper hygiene as all of these were found in extremely poor sanitary conditions,” the SMC official added.

During inspection, a butcher was also prosecuted for spraying insecticides over meat to keep flies away which according to the official is hazardous for human health.

Entire quantity of mutton was seized from the butcher and sprayed mutton was destroyed on spot, the official said.

Meanwhile, the enforcement wing under the supervision of chief enforcement officer Nisar Shah demolished seven illegal structures at Tarabal, Nawa Kadal, Alamgari Bazar, Abu Bakar Colony Batmaloo, Chanpora and Natipora areas.

Srinagar, August 20
The J&K Hoteliers Club (JKHC) led by its chairman Mushtaq Chaya held a meeting with Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Shailendra Kumar, and urged the government to give the tourism sector promised benefits.

“Way back in 1995, tourism was declared as an industry by the government, but no benefits were accorded to it. It has not been favored on electric tariff similar to that of small-scale industry. Even loans are being advanced to the tourism industry on higher rate as compared to the industrial sector,” a JKHC statement today said.

The hoteliers also said they were paying exorbitant water usage charges while demanding that exploration of groundwater for use in hotels should be made hassle-free.

They also raised the issue of facing difficulties during repairs and renovations. “There is a blanket ban on repairs and renovations on buildings at Boulevard (Srinagar), Pahalgam and Gulmarg. The government should use its legal department to get it eased out at the judicial level,” the statement said. The hoteliers also demanded revival of the Roshni Scheme and permission for repairs of existing basic infrastructure in Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Boulevard. 

Srinagar, August 20
The newly elected body of the Kashmir University Ministerial Staff Association (KUMSA) was sworn in by MS Sumbli, Director, Convocation Complex Returning cum-Presiding Officer, here on Wednesday at University of Kashmir. The elections for the newly elected body were held on August 13. The oath ceremony took place in the front lawns of the administration block of the University of Kashmir today.

The newly elected executive body comprises of Showkat Ahmad Khan as president, Farooq Ahmad Bhat vice-president, Bashir Ahmad Shan, general secretary, Showkat Asmi, secretary, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, publicity secretary, Fayaz Ahmad Hajam, organiser and Abdul Hamid Dar as treasurer.

The president thanked the members for their active participation in the election. He highlighted the general problems being faced by the employee community and assured the general body of early settlement of their issues by the authorities. The newly elected president said the Chancellor of the university would be requested for appointment of a local Vice Chancellor, who would facilitate the requirements of the Kashmir University.

Srinagar, August 20
The state government today accorded nod for the construction of an additional block at the JLNM Hospital, Rainawari, in the city here which will also include a separate pediatrics ward.

The decision was taken at a meeting to review the functioning of hospitals located in Srinagar’s old city, an official spokesman said. The meeting was chaired jointly by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ali Muhammad Sagar and Minister for Health and Medical Education Taj Mohiuddin.

“It was decided that work on the new patient block at the hospital would commence within 8-10 days after finalisation of drawings by the Health Department,” the spokesman said. — TNS

Samba, August 20
The residents of ward number two, four and six of Samba held a demonstration and blocked the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway to protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the Power Development Department (PDD) in restoring power supply to their area.

People in Samba blocked the national highway and disrupted vehicular movement for more than hour today. Hundreds of vehicles were struck in the jam resulting in long queues of vehicles.

Protesters alleged that the people of Samba area had been reeling under constant darkness due to technical problem in transformer, which had not been replaced by the department.

“We have been reeling under darkness for more than five days. It is the authorities, which have been acting as mute spectators,” said Kulbeer Singh, a local resident. “We have informed the authorities concerned regarding the crisis a week ago, but nothing has been done so far,” said Pawan Kumar, another local resident. “The Power Development Department (PDD) has forced us to come on roads and hold protest,” he added.

Later, Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Mubarak Singh and assistant executive engineer, PDP, reached the spot and pacified the protesters. 

Srinagar, August 20
Kashmir University Vice Chancellor AM Shah said today that mental health was an important aspect of the overall development of youth.

Shah said this while inaugurating a blood donation camp which was organised by the Department of Students Welfare (DSW), KU, in collaboration with the J&K State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (JKSAPCS) today.

“Though teaching and research are the main thrust areas at KU, engaging the youth by organising such programmes is also one of our topmost priorities,” the Vice Chancellor said.

Shah while interacting with blood donors on the occasion and distributing prizes among the winners of poster, painting and slogan competitions, which were held during a week-long youth day celebrations, said the main purpose of any education system should be “enlightenment of youth in terms of sound mental health, which is the bedrock of any educational policy.”

Mohan Singh, project director, J&K SAPCS, said by organising such programmes, the JKSAPCS was making an effort to reach out to the youth and help them overcome their difficulties.

Dr Singh added that mental health was the focus area of a major policy initiative of the JKSAPCS as the youth faced several problems which needed immediate attention.

Earlier, Dean, Students Welfare, KU, Neelofar Khan said such activities shaped the outlook of youth and inculcated a spirit of social activism among them and at the same time helped institutions to identify the talent of the youth and channelise it in the proper direction.

Cultural officer, DSW, Shahid Ali Khan, Irfan Farooq, and Rajesh Sharma, assistant directors, JKSAPCS, coordinated the week-long programme and the blood donation camp.

In poster-making competition, Maria Fayaz won the first prize, whereas the second and third prizes were bagged by Nowsheen Nazir and Mohammad Younis.

In painting competition, the first prize was bagged by Nowsheen Nazir, whereas the second and third prize went to Zaid Mehraj and Waseem Bashir.

In slogan competition, the first prize was won by Mohammad Irfan Bhat, whereas the second and third prizes were bagged by Maria Fayaz and Mohammad Younis. 

Baramulla, August 20
Employees of the Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj Departments have strongly opposed the deployment of agricultural extension officers as block development officers (BDOs) for making 177 new community development (CD) blocks functional in the state.

They alleged that with such a move officials of the RD in Civil Secretariat were trying to adjust their favourite agricultural officers as BDOs. The employees threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the decision was implemented.

In a communique, the Special Secretary, RDD, requested the Commissioner and the Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, to keep the services of at least 10 agriculture extension officers at the disposal of the RDD so that deficiency of BDOs could be made good to some extent.

“It is apparent that creation of the staff for these CD blocks and their consequent recruitment may take substantial time. However, the department contemplates to make these new units functional as early as possible by deploying some officers from the Agriculture Production Department, R&B, and Planning and Development Departments,” says the letter.

“Higher ups of the RDD are creating bottlenecks in promotion of the RDD employees just to engage their favourites from other departments like 
Agriculture and Planning to open doors of corruption,” said Bashir Ahmad Mir, president of the All State VLW’s Employees Association.

“It is unfortunate that high-power committee has not created posts for panchayat inspectors and junior assistants as it wants to close all doors of promotion for the RDD employees. We will be forced to go on an indefinite strike if the move of engaging officials of the Agriculture Department is not revoked,” he added.

Jammu, August 20
Delhi Public School (DPS), Jammu, organised a “Heritage Week” on the school premises.

Around 350 students were involved in different activities in the event, the aim of which was to develop the feeling of nationalism among the students.

A fusion of folk dances of India was performed by students and was highly appreciated by all. Deepa Kotwal was the chief guest on the occasion.

Additional Director/Principal, DPS, Jammu, Dr D Joseph congratulated all the students for showing keen interest in all the activities. She remarked that apart from classroom learning, such programmes needed to be organised side by side not only for the knowledge of the students, but also showing respect for the heritage.

Chief guest Deepa Kotwal in her address appreciated the efforts of the school authorities and the school management for organising such activities. — TNS

Srinagar, August 20
The Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mubarak Gul has asked the officers of different departments to work with dedication and unison and make the upcoming five-day autumn session beginning from August 25 a success.

Chairing a high-level meeting of officers of civil and police, the Speaker directed the security authorities to ensure deployment of adequate staff well versed with Parliamentary traditions within the premises of the Assembly. — TNS

Pulwama, August 20
Relatives of slain militant Bilal Ahmad Bhat alleged that the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the police thrashed the family members of his uncle Mohammad Ramzan Teli at Wanpora village last night.

They alleged that the police had been looking for Parvaiz Ahmad Teli, who was earlier detained by the police for being related to his cousin Bilal, a district commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, who was killed two months ago at Reshipora village of Pulwama district.

Eyewitnesses said the policemen dragged out the elder son of Mohammad Ramzan and beat him up till he fell unconscious.

“The policemen barged into the house of Mohammad Teli at around midnight and thrashed the inmates of the house,” eyewitnesses said, adding that they left the place only after the neighbours came to their rescue.

The family members alleged that the police refused to lodge an FIR, despite repeated pleas before the Pulwama SP and the Kakapora SHO.

The Kakapora SHO denied the allegations.

Srinagar, August 20
Two militants were killed in an ongoing operation in the frontier Kupwara district this evening. Defence sources said suspected movement of militants was noticed in the south of Farkhia Gali in the Keran Sector, 125 km from here, this evening by troops patrolling the area.

“They were challenged and they opened fire triggering an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, two unidentified militants were killed,” the sources said.

The Army recovered two AK-47 rifles from the encounter site. The search operation in the area was on till last reports came in.

This is the second encounter in Kupwara in the past 36 hours. On Tuesday morning, a militant was killed in the Tangdhar Sector near the Line of Control.