|
|
|
|
|
Storm destroyed 50 pc crop: Basmati growers
PHE Dept daily wagers demand release of pending wages
|
|
|
Panthers Party protests ‘discrimination’ against Jammu in relief distribution
Sikh Council seeks repair of Tawi embankment
BSF School win cricket tourney
Poonch GDC emerge winner in hockey match
Woman injured as Pak shells Poonch
Traffic resumes on national highway
Army man killed in Kupwara encounter
NEWS ANALYSIS
Interference with natural balance threat to mankind: Guv
Omar takes stock of rehab and relief work in Valley
Spurt in number of people living in temporary camps
Political quota sought for STs
PDP calls for rebuilding J-K as model state
15 militant hideouts busted in Doda, Kishtwar this year
Panel to identify people involved in flood rescue operations
HC resumes work from main complex after floods
Court against sale of soiled food items, merchandise in Valley
Mehbooba tells BJP to follow Vajpayee’s doctrine on Kashmir
Irregularities in mid-day meal scheme
Hit hard by floods, traders demand rehab measures
J&K to host 3 national sports events
Floods leave business hub Lal Chowk paralysed
Flood-hit residents angry over poor drainage system
PDP decries harassment of Habakadal youth
Rajouri girl students meet Prez
CRPF holds free medical camp
Six babies born at LD hospital in candlelight on dreadful night
|
||||||||
|
Storm destroyed 50 pc crop: Basmati growers
Jammu, October 13 Addressing a press conference, Basmati Rice Growers Association president Dev Raj said at some places the damage is more than 70 per cent as the floods in September had washed away large patches of land and silt has settled on the areas such as Makwal, Mud, Pargwal and RS Pura, where other varieties of paddy are sown. He alleged that due to lack of planning by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, most of the tubewells in the rice-growing area of Jammu are non-functional and no step is being taken to repair them. “First it was the flood, then the border firing and now the storm which has totally destroyed the crop and the government should immediately release relief to farmers,” Dev Raj said. He said basmati growers have suffered huge losses and the government should give a considerate view to their problems and provide timely compensation to them. “This year was a bad one for the farmers, particularly in border areas of J&K, and most of the farmers linked with the cultivation of paddy have suffered,” Kohli said. After revoking ban on export of basmati from J&K by the government in 2009, about 200 tonne of basmati have been exported so far, but the natural calamities and cross-border firing have taken their toll on the farmers. About 40,000 hectares are under basmati cultivation in the Jammu region.
|
|
PHE Dept daily wagers demand release of pending wages
Jammu, October 13 They demanded the release of pending wages of daily wagers, special benefit to ITI-trained (skilled) workers, convening of DPC meeting of all cadres, repair of damaged property of the department, release of 10 per cent DA due since January, 2014. Apart from this, workers are also demanded enhancement of minimum wage limit, medical allowances to Rs 1,000, maintaining of service book of the employees, providing of identity proof to all the field staff and daily wagers. Expressing resentment and anguish over the dilly-dallying attitude of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, the Water Works (PHE) Employees Association, led by their president Shiv Kumar Sharma, alleged that the government is totally following the anti-workers policies. “Our requests have fallen on deaf ears. Most of the workers are on the verge of starvation and are doing their work as they have no other option. Think how does it feel, every month we wait for our salary and this is going on for the last several months,” said Kartar Chand. “How can we meet our family expenses? We have no money to purchase notebooks, uniforms for our children and food grains and medicines,” said Susheel Kumar, another daily wager. He condemned the policy of engaging daily rated workers/CP workers in bulk, whereas the payment of salaries already engaged workers has been pending for the last three years.
|
|
Panthers Party protests ‘discrimination’ against Jammu in relief distribution
Jammu, October 13 Led by J&K National Panthers Party MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, party activists burnt effigies of the state government and Pakistan and alleged that both the Central and state government have failed to do justice with the affected people, particularly in the Jammu region. He reiterated that every family who suffered the loss due to heavy Pak shelling all along the IB and LoC should be allotted plots measuring five marla each for their rehabilitation. He demanded that the students living in the forward villages have also suffered academically and requested the authorities to conduct special classes for them and postpone their exams so as to compensate their loss. Taking a dig at the state government, Mankotia rebuked the Cabinet approval of the special financial package of Rs 44,000 crore for the rehabilitation of the flood victims as highly “discriminatory” in nature. He said the package would only benefit the flood victims of Kashmir as 90 per cent of devastation in Jammu was caused by the incessant torrential rains, which had washed away several precious lives, crops, agriculture land, homes and livestock. Mankotia demanded that the J&K calamity should be declared national disaster so that the rain victims of Jammu could also be compensated at par with the flood victims.
|
|
|
Sikh Council seeks repair of Tawi embankment
Jammu, October 13 “It is a matter of great concern that till date no official visited the area other than patwari, who also visited after one week. No compensation has been paid to any affected person till date. Many affected persons have been deprived of the free ration facility, which was announced by the government,” protesters said. They said the PWD has constructed an alternative road for the Niki Tawi area due to the extension of the Jammu airport and adjacent to lower Beli Charana there is no drainage or culvert in the area. This is the main cause of destruction of residential houses as the floodwater was blocked due to the road being too high. |
|
|
BSF School win cricket tourney
Jammu, October 13 A total of six schools, namely Delhi Public School, BSF School, Anuradha Public School, GD Goenka School, KC Gurukul School and St Xavier’s School, took part in the sporting event. In the concluding ceremony, Siddhant Chowdhary, managing partner of the KC Sports Club thanked the teams and their coaches for taking part in the tournament. Arjun Chowdhary, MD of the KC Sports Club, gave away trophies to the winner and runners-up teams.
|
|
|
Poonch GDC emerge winner in hockey match
Jammu, October 13 In the men section, the Mahant Bachitar Singh (MBS) College of Engineering and Technology defeated GDC, Kathua, by 2-0 goals in the final to clinch the trophy in the tournament. Jagandeep Singh opened the account in the 17th minute. Navleen Singh then slammed in the 42nd minute to seal the fate of the contest. Prof Neelam Saraf, Dean, Academic Affairs, and officiating Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, was the chief guest in the valedictory function and awarded trophies to the winner teams. Prof Dhian S Bhau, Director, Sports, University of Jammu, presided over the function. The matches in the tournament were officiated by PD Singh, Jagjeet Singh, Joginder Singh and Jasbir Singh.
|
|
|
Woman injured as Pak shells Poonch
Jammu, October 13 “Around 3.20 pm, Pakistani troops opened heavy fire on four Indian posts — Copra 1, Copra 2, Khalsa and another adjoining post in the Sabzian sector. They rained 82 mm mortars and also opened automatic weapons fire, prompting the Indian Army to respond in equal measure,” said an Intelligence source. The source said a woman of Chhool village in the Gagrian area of Sabzian sustained shrapnel injuries in the Pakistani firing. She has been identified as Parveen Begum, 30, wife of Abdul Shakoor of Chhool village. “The victim was sitting in her house when she was hit by shell splinters. She was shifted to a local hospital by a police team headed by assistant sub-inspector Raqeeb Ahmed, in charge of the Sabzian police post,” he added. Pakistani troops were shelling and firing at Indian posts from their Copra Top post, situated at a hilltop — in contrast to the Indian posts in low-lying areas, the source said. “The topography gives an advantage to Pakistan in this area but our troops are giving a stinging response,” he said. The exchange of fire lasted for over two hours, he said. A senior police officer also confirmed the incident and injuries to a woman. A local from Sabzian told The Tribune that the Indian Army for the past two days had been conducting mock drills for villagers, briefing them on how to act during Pakistani shelling. “We were told how to act during shelling. Army officers advised us that we should immediately close our shops and take refuge in safe areas after hearing the siren,” he said. Schools have also been alerted, he added. The Indian defences in Sabzian were also being reinforced and realigned. Since October 1, at least eight persons have been killed and 90 injured on the frontiers of Jammu and Kashmir in shelling by Pakistan. Arms, ammo recovered in Reasi
Jammu: Security forces on Monday smashed two militant hideouts in Reasi district and recovered a rich haul of arms and ammunition from them. In the first operation at the Makhiddhar forest, the recoveries included one AK 56 rifle, 18 rounds of AK 56, two magazines (rusted), 50 sniper rounds and two rounds (rusted) of 7.62 MM SLR. In the second operation at Dhanubhan, the seizure included one AK 56 rifle, three magazines and 40 rounds. |
|
Traffic resumes on national highway
Batote, October 13 The repair work on the Gangru-Ramsu stretch continued for the fourth day today, but the vehicles were allowed to pass through the repaired stretch after 1 pm. The Srinagar-bound vehicles, stranded between Jammu and Udhampur, were allowed to proceed after 8 am today. Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, National Highway, Mohammad Haseeb Mughal said Traffic policemen were told not to allow any light motor vehicle and public service vehicle beyond Nagrota, Udhampur and Jawahar Tunnel after 3 pm, 5 pm and 4am (on October 14), respectively. Although traffic was resumed on the stretch on September 16, it was being repaired constantly for 4 hours daily from 8 am since September 24. — OC
|
|
Army man killed in Kupwara encounter
Srinagar, October 13 “An operation was launched in the forests and around 8 am today when the troops were moving, a militant opened indiscriminate fire on the troops. A bullet hit an Army jawan, leading one of the patrols, on the left side of his face, injuring him critically. He later succumbed to his injuries,” a defence source said. “The encounter took place for a short time. Due to low visibility in the area, the militant managed to escape,” he said. More troops were rushed to the area to locate the militant, he said. “Only one militant was seen when he opened fire, but in the dense forest he cannot be alone. The exchange of fire has stopped but the search operation is on. We suspect more militants are hiding in the area,” he said. The Army and the special operations group of the police are combing the forest to track down the militants. Meanwhile, it could not be immediately ascertained whether the militants had infiltrated recently. Since the floods hit the Valley in the first week of September, the Army has killed 14 militants. Twelve of the militants were killed while trying to infiltrate into the Valley from Kupwara district. During this period, two security men, including a CRPF jawan, were killed in militant attacks in the Valley.
|
|
Pak’s letter to UN presents a distorted picture
Arun Joshi Tribune News Service
Jammu, October 13 A careful reading of the 711–word letter written by Adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz to Ban Ki-moon reveals that the main thrust is on the intervention of the United Nations in what it calls the “Kashmir dispute”. It has conveniently ignored the facts and peppered it with deliberate distortions. Aziz, however, has inadvertently conceded that it was with the purpose of propelling the Kashmir issue onto the international agenda that Pakistan started mortar shelling on Indian border villages. It is clear from the repeated appeal to the UN to intervene besides seeking that the letter be circulated in the United Nations Security Council. He is back to the typical Pakistan’s style of speaking about how “India cancelled unilaterally Foreign Secretary level talks in August without any plausible justification,” without mentioning that its diplomatic breach of trust by holding talks with Kashmiri separatists leaders was the reason for that. A pertinent question that the letter fails to answer is: why should India escalate the situation on the border? While Pakistan’s intent is clear —- to internationalise the Kashmir problem, India has no reason to cause a situation, which Aziz has said could “spiral out of control”. Aziz is a seasoned politician and an expert on international relations, but this letter bears his signatures but the text has been typed by the Rawalpindi headquarters. It is clear to any reader who has knowledge about who constitutes the Pakistan establishment. Coming to the ceasefire agreement of November 26, 2003 (on the Muslim festival Id-ul-Fitr), which Pakistan is now talking about in its letter, was the result of the magnanimous approach of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, who had first extended “the hand of friendship to Pakistan” and then agreed to have a ceasefire on the borders, Line of Control (LoC) and the Siachen glacier. It was Aziz who a few days ago had stated in New York on the sidelines of the United National General Assembly session that the Simla Agreement of 1972 had lost its relevance. “It (Simla Agreement) had failed to work,” he had stated. Aziz should have recalled that how more than 90,000 prisoners of war were handed over to Pakistan by India in the wake of the Simla Agreement. The letter should have also disclosed Pakistan’s role in ruining Kashmir by sponsoring armed militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. That is how Pakistan sabotaged the implementation of the Simla Agreement. In the same line of thinking, it has violated the ceasefire agreement. And it should have known, at least by its Kargil misadventure of the summer of 1999, that if mortar shells are rained on this side of the border, there is bound to be a reaction. The respect for bilateralism would beget good bilateral results. The cross-LoC movement, trade and the exchange of the cultural programmes bear testimony to that. Aziz knows it better than anyone else, but is hiding it because of his domestic compulsions, and is urging the UN to intervene.
|
|
Interference with natural balance threat to mankind: Guv
Jammu, October 13 The Governor stressed the need for generating awareness and evolving innovative approaches for the protection and conservation of the cryosphere. He said, “The cryosphere is a vital part of the global climate system and its erosion and depletion can lead to a situation in which the entire world will cry and the very existence of all life on the earth shall be severely threatened.” The Governor said the process of urbanisation had led to unplanned growth and disruption of natural contours and impeded the paths on which waters flow. “Fracturing the geography of the earth has resulted in mega disasters, virtually on a recurring basis,” he added. He said continued interferences with the natural balance had generated varied threats to the survival of mankind and other life forms on the earth. The Governor complimented the Jammu University for establishment of IME and hoped that this institution would develop as a pioneer in researches related to evolving sound principles and practical approaches for saving the fragile Himalayan mountain system. He suggested linking IME with various national and international institutions of excellence all over the world. Prof MPS Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, and Drikung Skyabgon Che-Tsang Rinpochey, supreme head of the Drikung Kargyud Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, spoke about global warming and resulting temperature changes, glacier melting and evolving different methodologies and innovative ideas to conserve the nature. Che-Tsang Rinpochey stressed planting large number of plants and efficient use of available water resources. Earlier, on arrival at the Bhaderwah campus, the Governor was welcomed by the children of Kindergarten School, Bhaderwah Campus. The Governor inaugurated a building complex of the Institute of Mountain Environment here and visited newly created facilities and laboratories of the institute. On the occasion, Dr Neeraj Sharma, assistant professor, Life Sciences, IME, spoke on the ongoing and future research plans of the IME. The Governor also released the brochure of the IME here. The Governor launched a Northwest Himalayan e-flora website and Ice Stupa Glacier Project. He also released proceedings and abstract volume of the conference and a book titled “Environment, Society, and Economy of Zanskar, Ladakh, J&K” by Chhering Tundup. Professor Harjeet Singh from Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, was given the life time achievement award. Prof GM Bhat gave a powerpoint presentation on “Recent floods in j&k and future developmental strategy”. The welcome address was given by Professor GM Bhat, rector, Bhaderwah Campus, and vote of thanks was given by Chhering Tundup, assistant professor, Earth Sciences, IME. Naresh Gupta, MLC; Sham Vinod Meena, Deputy Commissioner, Doda; Ashkoor Wani, DIG, Doda-Ramban; Sharief Chauhan, SSP, Doda; Bopinder Kumar, SDM, Bhaderwah; teachers and students were present on the occasion.
|
|
Omar takes stock of rehab and relief work in Valley
Srinagar, October 13 During the conference Omar, who is presently in New Delhi, was informed that Rs 43.18 crore have been disbursed so far among the families whose houses have collapsed in the recent flood. “It was stated that the cases of 3,626 fully damaged houses have been approved for disbursement of interim compensation,” an official spokesperson said, adding that the meeting was also informed that the process of disbursement of interim relief was going on in full swing and would be completed soon. The Chief Minister also received the status report of ration distribution and the supply of essential commodities and LPG. Omar was informed that nearly 20,000 tons of rice has been supplied to the depots in the Valley and the total requirement of 32,000 tons for the month would be met in the next three to four days. He was further told that 15,000 tons of ration against the total requirement of 25,000 tons for the month have been supplied to depots in Jammu. “The Chief Minister directed the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department to visit the ration depots and ascertain the status of supplies,” the spokesperson said. “The Secretary, CAPD, said he along with the team of officers will visit the city depots in this regard,” the spokesperson added. Omar also received a briefed on the installation of dewatering pumps in the inundated areas of Sumbal-Sonawari tehsil of north Kashmir. He directed the authorities to intensify the process of dewatering by installing more pumps. The Chief Minister was also informed that the fumigation of houses, which remained submerged during the flood, has been started in the city and more than 200 houses have been disinfected so far, the spokesperson said. “It was added that the drive will continue in full swing to accomplish the task of disinfecting the affected houses within this week,” he said. The meeting was also informed that the power situation in the Valley remained “more than normal” and there has been no adverse report on health indicators.
|
|
Spurt in number of people living in temporary camps
Jammu, October 13 He said at least 34 camps have been set up for the people from border villages in view of Pak shelling, adding that nearly 10,000 villagers have taken refuge in these makeshift arrangements. The people in these camps are being provided food, water and medicines, he said. The district administration has also set up six cattle camps wherein the livestock injured in the shelling from across the border is being treated. Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Mubarak Singh said over 4,000 villagers were camping in the 19 camps scattered across the district. “During the day, men go back to their homes to look after the cattle and in the evening they return to the camps. As a result, the number of camp dwellers keeps fluctuating. But still 4,000 people are being looked after by the administration. They are being provided food, shelter and other logistics,” Singh said. Though the border in Samba district, including the Ramgarh sub-sector, has remained calm for the past couple of days, people are apprehensive, the official said. He also refuted the claims made by some villagers in the Ramgarh sub-sector that the administration had not set up any camps for them. “We have camps in Avtal, Ramgarh and Swankha, but we cannot force villagers to come to these camps,” said the Deputy Commissioner. People from at least six forward villages in the Ramgarh sub-sector — Rangoor Camp, Nanga, Kamore, Chak Babral, Koulpur and Khanpur — alleged that no relief camps had been set up for them and as a result they were forced to take refuge in their relatives’ houses or at other places. Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, AK Sahu said with the fluctuation in the Pak shelling, the number of villagers in camps also keeps fluctuating. “There are still 15,000 people in the 26 camps set up in various places across Jammu district. Yes, they are reluctant to go home even during day time. After night-long shelling, there have been instances where people were getting injured in the morning hours,” Sahu said.
|
|
|
Political quota sought for STs
Jammu, October 13 Poswal said the ST communities had not been given political reservation like in other states. “They must be given political reservation before holding the elections,” he said. In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Poswal also maintained that electoral rolls had not been properly updated. He said the nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals had not been properly enrolled in the electoral rolls. “The Gujjars and Bakarwals are at present in the upper reaches of the state and will start returning before the onset of winters,” Poswal said. “The electoral rolls be properly updated for free and fair elections,” he said. — TNS
|
|
PDP calls for rebuilding J-K as model state
Srinagar, October 13 Interacting with people during a tour of the flood-affected areas of Pulwama district, Mufti said the PDP was in the process of formulating a comprehensive policy framework on sustainable and planned reconstruction of the areas devastated by the recent floods and the same would be operationalised once the party comes to power. “The PDP’s policy framework will also include a separate flood control master plan to minimise the loss to life and property in the eventuality of any future disasters and other climate threats,” he said. “It will incorporate tangible short, medium and long-term measures aimed at rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood-affected areas, including rebuilding of economy and restoration of the livelihoods, through latest technological and innovative interventions,” Mufti said. He said the town planners, structural engineers, reconstruction and CSR professionals would be roped in by the party to kick-start a structured rehabilitation and reconstruction programme in the state. — TNS
|
|
15 militant hideouts busted in Doda, Kishtwar this year
Doda, October 13 “It is a massive blow to militant groups and their efforts to revive militancy in the area which was declared militancy-free zone few years back,” Senior Superintendent Police (SSP), Doda, Mohammed Sharif Chouhan told The Tribune. “Whenever we get any information from our sources we launch a joint search operation in the area. So far our security forces have busted six militant hideouts in Doda and recovered cache of arms and ammunition, including snatched weapons of our security forces,” Chouhan said. “Two cases of snatched weapons have been solved and two are under investigation,” the officer added. SSP, Kishtwar, Sanjay Kotwal said: “Yes, a number of snatched weapons have been recovered from militant hideouts. Recently we recovered one 7.62mm self loading rifle from the Malgot area of Kishtwar. Militants usually scrub the number on the weapon, which makes it difficult for us to identify it.” “I have send number of weapons to the forensic laboratory as the number on them could not be identification of their numbers” Kotwal said.
|
|
Panel to identify people involved in flood rescue operations
Srinagar, October 13 The government had recently decided to felicitate and award Rs 1 lakh each to 100 individuals, organisations and NonGovernmental Organisations in recognition of their “commendable service” during the floods. The state was hit by the floods in the first week of September, leaving nearly 300 dead and damaging property worth hundreds of crores. “The committee will scrutinise, identify and award the persons, organisations, NGOs and various stakeholders who exhibited exemplary service by rescuing people from the floods in the state,” an order issued by the General Administration Department said. — TNS
|
|
HC resumes work from main complex after floods
Srinagar, October 13 Most of the judges, lawyers and other judicial staff were present today. The regular cause list Chief Justice of the High Court Justice MM Kumar, whose official residence in the Sonawar area of the city had been damaged by the floods, today held his court along with Justice Ali Mohammad Margray, during which matters of public importance, including a PIL on the recent floods, came up for hearing. Though after the floods, the High Court was closed briefly, it was later shifted to a makeshift arrangement in the Gupkar area of Srinagar. The continuous functioning of the High Court from a makeshift arrangement had on October 10 prompted the Supreme Court to issue directions to the J&K High Court to make the main court complex functional within 24 hours so that it could hear day-to-day cases. When the High Court was operating from a makeshift arrangement, the restoration work was going on at the main complex, where the water had entered the first floor and raised up to 12 feet. Due to the floods, most of the records housed in the basement and the ground floor of the court were destroyed. The floodwaters also destroyed two libraries at the court complex, which had a collection of books on law and jurisprudence. Normal functioning starts
|
|
Court against sale of soiled food items, merchandise in Valley
Srinagar, October 13 The High Court directed the authorities concerned to confiscate and destroy such items being sold in the markets by the affected shopkeepers.Even as the flood waters have receded in most parts of Kashmir, it has been observed that many shopkeepers after clearing off their shops and warehouses of the muck and slush are busy selling off the soiled and flood-affected merchandise, including packed food items like beverages, cold-drinks, and other articles which come in plastic and waterproof packing. As per the health advisory issued by the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, Epidemiology & Public Health Division for the flood-affected areas, any food or food items that come in contact with the flood water should be discarded. The advisory also states that people should discard any object that might have absorbed flood water and cannot be easily cleaned. Despite these advisories, several medical store owners were seen selling medicines salvaged from the flood-hit shops in Srinagar. Many squares and turn-abouts on the city outskirts have been turned into busy markets, where people are seen selling flood-affected floor matting and carpets on cheap and throwaway rates. All this has been happening right under the nose of the authorities, who seem unconcerned about the happening. The issue was today brought before the Division Bench of the High Court during the hearing of public interest litigation (PIL) on consumer affairs. The court immediately took note of it and issued strict instructions to the authorities concerned.“The Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, is directed to ensure no contaminated item is put on sale, particularly those affected by the flood waters,” the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magray observed in its orders. Court directive
|
|
Mehbooba tells BJP to follow Vajpayee’s doctrine on Kashmir
Jammu, October 13 Addressing a function to welcome Congress leaders Vinod Mahajan and Nitish Mahajan into the party fold, she said: “Vajpayee had laid a solid foundation for resolving the Kashmir issue and problems of the state.” Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come true on his promise of following Vajpayee’s doctrine on Kashmir, Mehbooba observed that there was no indication yet that the BJP government was serious about its election manifesto on Jammu and Kashmir. “People had hopes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a decisive mandate will carry forward the mission, but things are not moving in that direction,” said the PDP president. She said the ceasefire between India and Pakistan was result of “Vajpayee’s vision and statesmanship” and it came at a time when the two countries were engaged in a warlike confrontation. Mehbooba recalled that Vajpayee exhibited statesmanship and rose above petty consideration to respond to the overwhelming yearning for the peace among the people of the state. “He (Vajpayee) extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan even in the backdrop of Kargil and Parliament attack,” the Peoples Democratic Party president said. The senior leader said: “Rescuing the ceasefire and taking forward the resolution process will be much easier now, but any drift could result in wasting the hard labour.” “The BJP as ruling party of the country has to prove its intention and ability by following Vajpayee’s legacy,” the Peoples Democratic Party president said. Mehboobaspeak
|
|
|
Irregularities in mid-day meal scheme
Rajouri, October 13 After receiving complaints from parents and students from the district, DC, Rajouri, Jatender Singh had directed the Rajouri Chief Education Officer to constitute teams to check the functioning of the government schools. The regularity and punctuality monitoring teams which included Bishamber Dass, Suraj parkash, Ashok Kumar and Tanveer Mir, principals, Pardeep Kumar, in charge Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), and Abdul Rashid Bhat, headmaster, visited many schools and found unauthorised teachers in the education zones, proper records of the mid-day meal scheme were not maintained and in many schools ration had been released but mid-day meals not served to the students. Hussain cancelled all unauthorised deployments and has sought explanations from the ZEOs concerned and the in charges of the mid-day meal scheme. He has also ordered to deduct the one-day salary of the teachers, found absent from duty on Saturday.
|
|
|
Hit hard by floods, traders demand rehab measures
Srinagar, October 13 The SERF comprises all major trade, tourism and industries' bodies that have come under one umbrella to seek suitable rehabilitation. The amalgam jointly addressed the media for the first time here after the devastating floods. "They (Centre) have a different yardstick when it comes to Kashmir. If our pleas are not heard, we will have no option but to come on roads," said SERF member Mohammad Yasin Khan, who also heads the Kashmir Economic Alliance. The SERF demands include provision of Rs 10 lakh as ex gratia in each businesses loss, loss assessment in close collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank through the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) as was done in the case of Uttarakhand, 10-year income tax exemption and declaring Srinagar to be one of the first SMART cities among others. Finance Minister AR Rather had recently stated that they had already approached the Centre so that a team comprising leading international lenders, including the ADB and GFDRR, were sent to assist the state in rebuilding the "shattered economy". "There have been double standards in dealing with calamities that struck in Uttarakhand, Bihar or any other place in the country and Kashmir. If this scale of devastation would have been elsewhere, the Prime Minister would have been camping there," another SERF member GM Dug said. The SERF also alleged discrimination on religious grounds. Questioning the state government's recently sent proposal to the Centre for a package of Rs 44,000 crore, Dug said: "The estimation of primary losses was Rs 1 trillion (Rs 1 lakh crore). Empirical studies show the consequential/secondary losses of a disaster to be 2.5 times the amount of the primary losses. How the government plans to account for such a shortfall is a riddle only they can elaborate on?" He said the government should take aid from international agencies in case it was not capable to bear the losses suffered during the floods. Demanding that relief measures should be extended across the state, Dug said Jammu-based business organisations had suffered "indirect losses amounting to Rs 550 crore because of the floods in Kashmir". The SERF also urged the Centre to include J&K in the National Optical Fibre Network, which was currently developing new communication systems for revolutionising the communication network. Include Srinagar in Smart City scheme: SERF
Srinagar: The State Economic Reconstruction Forum (SERF), an amalgam of trade bodies in Kashmir which was formed after the devastating floods, on Monday demanded that the Centre should include Srinagar in the “Smart City Scheme” announced by the Union Government in the current fiscal’s budget. “The Centre should declare Srinagar to one of the first SMART cities in the country under the plan of making 100 SMART cities,” SERF Secretary Mubeen Shah said. Shah said this would make Srinagar city, which was worst affected part of the Valley in the last month’s flood, eligible for huge funding earmarked under the scheme. — PTI The demands
|
|
|
J&K to host 3 national sports events
Srinagar, October 13 The venue of the sports events which include badminton, roll ball and speed ball championships has been shifted to Jammu from Srinagar in the wake of heavy damage caused to the Srinagar stadia due to the recent floods. "Keeping in view the damage caused to most of the playing fields of Srinagar due to the devastating floods, the decision of relocating the important sports events to Jammu was taken in the meeting of officials of the YSS Department held recently," an official statement read. The national championship for under-14 boys and girls in badminton will be held at Jammu from November 21 to 25. However, the other two sports events for under-19 boys and girls in roll ball and speed ball have been scheduled for December and the same will be played at Jammu. Meanwhile, DG,YS&S, Navin Agarwal has directed all officials of his department to put in every possible effort for conducting sports activities as per the revised sports calendar of the department. Venue shifted to Jammu
Keeping in view the damage caused to most of the playing fields of Srinagar due to the devastating floods, the decision to relocate important sports events to Jammu was taken at a meeting of officials of the Youth Services & Sports Department. |
|
|
Floods leave business hub Lal Chowk paralysed
Srinagar, October 13 The city centre, identified by a guarded clock tower, with busy markets and streets till the first week of the last month, formed the commercial nerve centre of the region. Lal Chowk and its dozen adjacent markets were flooded on September 7 and remained inundated for nearly a fortnight. The merchandise in most of the shops and warehouses in the area have been damaged by the floods. Nisar Ahmad, a pharmaceutical dealer, whose three godowns in the Maisuma market were filled with medicines when the area was flooded and remained inundated for nearly three weeks, estimated the damage at Rs 1.5 crore. More than a month after the floods ravaged the western and southern parts of Srinagar and flooded dozens of residential and commercial neighbourhoods, Lal Chowk continues to remain paralysed and is now a dusty, rundown and forsaken part of the city. The erstwhile map of Lal Chowk included high-scale shops selling branded clothes and shoes, restaurants, cafes and warehouses, all of which are now desolate. The shoppers have also shifted to the markets in old city, unaffected by the floods. Shakeel Qalandar, a member of the Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies and a former member the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme for Jammu and Kashmir, said the daily loss suffered by the closure of Lal Chowk and its adjacent markets is estimated at Rs 30 crore. Qalandar said the estimated loss per day due to shutdown of businesses in the entire Kashmir region is Rs 100 crore. “The fact is that it is a business hub and a wholesale and stock market from where goods are supplied to rural areas and other enterprises. The conservative estimate is that Lal Chowk and its adjacent areas form the 30 per cent of the total market share (in Kashmir) and thus the loss every day is around Rs 30 crore,” Qalandar said. The state government had estimated the losses at Rs 1,00,000 crore. Meanwhile, Lal Chowk remained shut for the 36th day. Qalandar said: “If all facilities are provided, it will take a minimum of six months to revive Lal Chowk.” “The facilities include claims of insurance and fresh finances and policy interventions are also required,” he said. Sheikh Ashiq, president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said the rebuilding of Lal Chowk is a multistage process which includes cleaning, repair and buying new stock. “It will take six months to one year to bring Lal Chowk to its past glory,” Ashiq said.
|
|
|
Flood-hit residents angry over poor drainage system
Srinagar, October 13 Locals of Indira Nagar and Sonwar said they were not able to return to their flood-hit homes even after more than a month due to overflowing drains in the locality. "Whenever we come and clean our lawns and footpaths, the next day we again find drain water in the lawns. It has turned into a nightmare for us. We are not able to return to our houses," said one the residents, Ali Ahmad. The areas of Indira Nagar and Shivpora faced the wrath of floods that submerged the whole city. The water remained inside the localities for more than 25 days and was then drained out with the help of motors. The locals said this time when all people were returning to their homes after floods, they were not able to do the same due to waterlogging due to drainage failure in the area. "The problem is not new to this locality. It gets inundated even after a drizzle of a few hours, thereby increasing the difficulties for residents," Riyaz Ahmad said, adding that the advantage of being close to Gupkar and adjacent to top security installations and lone children hospital of the Valley was not proving to be of any benefit to residents of this locality. The residents said the Badami Bagh Cantonment Board under which the area comes for sanitation and other civic purposes had failed to give any relief from this problem to the locals. Though the authorities concerned could not be reached for comment, the residents of the locality appealed to the local authorities to immediately improve the drainage system in the area before winter.
|
|
|
PDP decries harassment of Habakadal youth
Srinagar, October 13 "At the behest of the National Conference leaders, the youth are being targeted in the Habakadal area for raising their voice against the government's failure to provide people any relief in the aftermath of devastating floods in Kashmir," party leader Mudasir Khan said in a statement. Khan invited the attention of the police top brass, particularly the Director General of Police (DGP), to check the incidents wherein many low-rank police officers were being made to toe to "repressive policies" of a particular party. |
|
|
Rajouri girl students meet Prez
Rajouri, October 13 “The students have a vital role to play in building a resurgent new India and that the girls of Jammu & Kashmir have to be the driving force which ushers in peace and development in J&K,” the President said. The tour was organised by the Rashtriya Rifles under the aegis of the Romeo Force. The tour was flagged off from the Manjakote Brigade headquarters on October 8. A Romeo Force spokesman said the tour was part of the endeavour being made by the Rashtriya Rifles under the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) to reach out to the youth of the border district and also encourage self- employment in the region. He said during the tour, the students would get an opportunity to visit various educational institutes and historical monuments in Jammu and Delhi. Nasreen Akhtar, one of the participants, said this was a lifetime opportunity for her to see various educational institutes that she could visit later for pursuing higher studies.
|
|
|
CRPF holds free medical camp
Srinagar, October 13 "They were provided free-of-cost medical check-up as well as medicines in the presence of senior CRPF officer, local administrative officers, senior citizens and villagers," a CRPF official said. Deputy Inspector General of Police, CRPF, Srinagar, north, R Rajasekaran said the aim of orgainising the medical camp was to provide free-of-cost check-up and medicines to the inhabitants of the far-flung areas. Prabhat Kumar Sandwar, Commandant, 115 Battalion, added that during the past six years the battalion had organised many civic programmes which included medical camps, distribution of sports items and study material as well as providing computers to school which was praised by one and all and people of the area reposed great confidence in their presence.
|
|
|
Six babies born at LD hospital in candlelight on dreadful night
Srinagar, October 13 The power supply to the hospital soon got cut off as the hospital was under 20-feet of water. A group of doctors available on the night duty, according to Medical Superintendent, LD Hospital, Dr Mushtaq Rather, performed the caesarean operations of these two women in candlelight. "We lit the operation theatre with candles and performed two important surgeries. If these two procedures were not performed, it could have resulted in the death of mothers and their babies. The patients were from far-flung areas, therefore they could not have been shifted anywhere else at that time," Dr Mushtaq said. The doctors in LD Hospital say these young boys were no less than angels for the hospital staff. "We were impressed by the level of courage that these young volunteers showed. Besides two caesarean sections, four normal deliveries also happened and those also under candlelight," the Medical Superintendent said. He countered the allegations levelled against the doctors of the hospital that they left the patients midway. "It was a panicky situation and in no time the water engulfed half of the hospital building. We did whatever we could to save lives," he said, adding that the outpatient department at hospital is fully functional now, whereas IPD functioning hasn't been restored.
|
|
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Jammu, October 13
Jammu, October 13
Srinagar, October 13
Governor NN Vohra today inaugurated a two-day international conference on “Change in Cryosphere and Impact on Ecosystem Services and Rural Livelihood: Understanding Local Adaptation in the Himalayan Region” at the Institute of Mountain Environment (IME) on the Bhaderwah campus of Jammu University.
Srinagar, October 13
Despite last night’s lull along the international border, the number of panicky villagers keeps swelling in more than 79 relief camps in Kathua, Jammu and Samba districts.
“Despite the last night lull their (border villagers) numbers keep on swelling. In Kathua district alone, where there were 2,215 families in various camps till yesterday, their number has now gone up to 2,386,” said Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.
Srinagar, October 13
Jammu, October 13
Srinagar, October 13
Rajouri, October 13
