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City celebrates Vishwakarma Day with religious fervour
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JU to host five-day inter-varsity
badminton tourney from Oct 27
Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, VC, University of Jammu, addresses mediapersons in Jammu on Friday. A Tribune photo
Revenue counselling cell inaugurated
Jail warden aspirants stage protest, demand release of candidates’ final list
Two ration dealers suspended
Decision on regularisation of 62,000 casual workers hailed
Akhnoor APS wins trophies
Stone-throwing at Pandits’ colonies on Diwali condemned
SAD (Amritsar) to highlight contribution of Banda Bahadur
3 days on, dept still trying to control fire in Narwal mandi
Constable shot dead in Anantnag
On Diwali, Pak targets BSF posts in Jammu, Kathua
PM meets flood-hit families, political leaders in Srinagar
Modi’s visit to Siachen boosts Army’s morale
Haryana govt yet to give clearance to Bhatinda-Srinagar gas pipeline
PM lauds Omar for participating in Swachh Bharat campaign
15 Corps GOC briefs Governor on security
BJP takes up issue of border residents with PM
Army assured of alternative site for firing range
Three injured by lightning
12 missing since September floods in Kashmir valley
PM’s relief package a cruel joke: Soz
Hideout busted in Kupwara
Centre yet to approve embankment project on Indo-Pakistan border
PDP yet to fix candidates for 4 Valley seats
Child labour goes on unabated
Guv inaugurates research centre, referral laboratory at
SKUAST-K
No bills raised by Defence Ministry for rescue ops: Union Home Secy
Youth demand end to ban on Muharram processions
Inter-school football cup from Oct 28
Students’ hard work lost in floods
Saddar court starts work from Sanat Ghar
Tax revenue expected to increase from
Rs 2,683 cr to Rs 7,500 cr: Rather
Licences of 2 drug stores suspended
Sham Lal Sharma Over Rs 1 cr flood-hit food items destroyed
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City celebrates Vishwakarma Day with religious fervour
Jammu, October 24 Executive Engineer Ashok Singh Chowdhary and many other officials, ministerial staff and INTUC workers performed a “puja” and “havan” and floral tributes were paid to Lord Vishwakarma. Shiv kumar Sharma highlighted the philosophy of Lord Vishwakarma. He also lauded the recent decision of the state government to regularise about 60,000 casual workers in various government departments and urged the government to issue a formal order in this regard. Sharma urged the workers and employees of the mechanical community to be honest towards their duties and thanked all the invitees on behalf of his colleagues and workers. Meanwhile, all mechanical workshops of the city performed special puja at their workshop and kept their workshops closed.
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JU to host five-day inter-varsity
badminton tourney from Oct 27
Jammu, October 24 Talking to mediapersons here, Professor Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, said at least 48 universities had sent their entries in ‘men section’ while 46 universities had sent their entries in ‘Women Section’. “Keeping in view the overall trend of participation of teams, about 75 to 80 teams of badminton are expected to participate both in men and women competitions,” the VC said. He gave details about the conduct of the tournament, stay of the teams, coaches, managers accompanying the teams and officials, who would be conducting the tournaments. He also advised the organisers, officials and others who are connected directly or indirectly with the tournament to show their sportsmanship and adjust with the sources and resources managed by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education for the conduct of the tournaments with positive and impartial attitude. “The chief referee of the tournament is a qualified referee from the Badminton Association of India and has been working as chief referee of the badminton tournaments throughout the country from the last many years,” he said. Professor Ishar said Raman Bhalla, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, was expected to inaugurate the tournament on at 10.30 am while the prize distribution function of the tournament would be held on October 31 where state Cabinet Minister Sham Lal Sharma had been requested to be the chief guest and distribute prizes to the winning teams. “The tournament shall be played on the knockout-cum-league basis for which the matches shall be played in the university gymnasium hall on Hawa Courts with 3 indoor badminton courts and the second venue will be the Police Badminton Hall at the District Police Lines, Jammu, having three wooden courts,” the VC said. |
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Revenue counselling cell inaugurated
Jammu, October 24 The cell has been set up to provide assistance to service seekers about revenue-related papers, sale and purchase of land, registration of sale deed, issuance of revenue documents, attestation of mutation or any other revenue-related service. People may seek assistance from the revenue counselling centre by personal visit to the Deputy Commissioner’s office or contacting the centre in charge by making a call at 0191-2143922 and by sending an email at www.jammurcc@gmail.com. Initially, service has been made available from 9 am to 12 pm on every working day. Officials of the rank of the assistant commissioner along with tehsildar and naib tehsildars have been deployed at the centre to provide counselling to people.
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Jail warden aspirants stage protest, demand release of candidates’ final list
Jammu, October 24 Under the banner of ‘All Selected Candidates of Warden in Jail Police’, protesters alleged that more than two years had passed but the authorities concerned had not released the final selection list of candidates. The interview of the same was held in the month of November, 2010. “Since it is the matter of the career of unemployed youth, so Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should personally intervene in the matter and final orders should be issued in favour of all the 1,245 candidates who have passed the interview,” said Ashwani Kumar, an activist.
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Two ration dealers suspended
Jammu, October 24 During the course of surprise visit of Director along with the Deputy Director (food/rationing) to the interior areas of Surinsar and Mansar, two private ration dealers namely Balbir Singh of Khana Chargail and Ramesh Singh of Aitham were immediately placed under suspension. Besides, two retail kerosene oil dealers of Khanna Chargal and another one Sudesh of Mansar were placed under suspension with immediate effect for non-adherence of government instructions. Further, Balwan Singh, salesman of Government Sales Depot, Surinsar, was placed under suspension for non-production of records pertaining to receipt and distribution of PDS ration. The Director, CAPD, Jammu, has warned private ration dealers as well as retain kerosene oil dealers to open their depots in time and adhere to the instructions issued from time to time in this regard.
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Decision on regularisation of 62,000 casual workers hailed
Jammu, October 24 Addressing activists, front state president, Mohammad Gafoor Dar said it was a long-pending demand of the workers who were feeling neglected despite giving their best to keep the essential services functional. He also hailed Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma for his support to ensure that the Cabinet accepts the decision. “The casual workers, whose regularisation was approved on the recommendations of a committee constituted by the government, should be implemented before the dates for the election are announced in J&K,” Dar said. The state Cabinet had approved the mechanism for regularisation of daily wagers in of 2009, with directions passed to department to furnish details about workers so that financial and legal issues could be sorted out.
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Jammu, October 24 Pratibha Takotra of APS Akhnoor was declared the best player of the tournament in girls’ category. Principal KCS Mehta congratulated the participating students and winners. — TNS
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Stone-throwing at Pandits’ colonies on Diwali condemned
Jammu, October 24 In a statement issued here by CPH president, King Bharati, the organisation condemned the stone-throwing incident and castigated the state government and the local administration for failing to secure the employees despite being the fifth incident in the colony. Bharati who met a delegation of Hawal Kashmiri Pandit colony residents, who are serving in the Valley under the Prime Minister’s Special Employment package for Kashmiri Migrants, expressed concern over the casual approach of the state government over such incidents saying the employees have submitted a memorandum to the Relief Commissioner Migrants at Jammu to take immediate steps to prevent such incidents.
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SAD (Amritsar) to highlight contribution of Banda Bahadur
Jammu, October 24 Addressing a press conference, Dal general secretary Gurdev Singh said Sikhs from different parts of the country and J&K would participate in the event to highlight the role of the great warrior in consolidating the ‘Khalsa’ kingdom. He said Baba Banda Bahadur was a great warrior, who fought against the tyranny of rulers of that time and formed the first Sikh kingdom after defeating the Mughal army. “This is to remember his sacrifice he did for the country,” Singh said. Banda Singh Bahadur (1670-1716) was born in a Manhas Rajput family in Rajouri district. He was named Lachman Dev, but after meeting Guru Gobind Singh, he become a Sikh and one of the greatest warrior known for his struggle against the Mughal empire in the early 18th century.
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3 days on, dept still trying to control fire in Narwal mandi
Jammu, October 24 The fire broke out on the seventh storey of a cold storage building in Narwal on Thursday morning allegedly due to short circuit and spread in the entire building till evening. The Fire Department hasn’t been able to save goods inside the storage, but they were successful in limiting the fire to one building only. “I am satisfied with the efforts made by the Fire Department officials and they didn’t allow fire to spread to nearby buildings. But they have limited resources and lack proper equipment, which if available would have controlled the fire,” said Raman Gupta, owner of the cold storage. Gupta said that entire building has been gutted and the loss might be in crores. Since Thursday, the officials of the Fire Department are on the spot to control the fire, but they haven’t achieved success so far. At a time four to five fire tenders are present on the spot, but the department has one vehicle with lift facility, which is slowing the process. “Firemen are dedicated but they don’t have proper clothing which will allow them to go near the fire,” Gupta said. Eye-witnesses said this was the second incident of fire in the same cold storage in the last six months and the Fire Department had not improved its preparedness. “I feel all the major buildings are in danger as our Fire Department Seems to be ill-equipped,” said Nitin, a fruit vendor in Narwal mandi. The Fire Department officials refused to comment on the preparedness of their department.
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Constable shot dead in Anantnag
Anantnag, October 24 The slain constable has been identified as Rafiq Ahmad Mir, 38, a resident of the Hassanpora area. Locals sources said Mir was intercepted by some gunmen outside his house around 8.15 pm yesterday. “They shot him from a point-blank range,” a police officer from the area said. “He was immediately rushed to Sub-District Hospital in Bijbehara,” he said. Doctors at the hospital declared him brought dead, the police said. Mir had been working with the Indian Reserve Police. “He was at present posted at the Mattan area of Anantnag and was on holiday. He had reached home a day ago,” the police officer said. Following the killing, the police carried out extensive searches in the area to nab the attackers. The police in Anantnag and Kulgam erected barricades along the national highway and other major roads and searched vehicles till late night
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On Diwali, Pak targets BSF posts in Jammu, Kathua
Jammu, October 24 “During the day yesterday, Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire, opening small arms fire on BSF posts in the Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba district, Hiranagar sub-sector of Kathua district and then in the Arnia area of Jammu district late night,” said a senior BSF officer. “Pakistan resorted to small arms fire on our posts in Hiranagar and Samba. They fired a few shots at our posts in the Basanter river area around 7.30 am and kept firing intermittently till 9 am. Then around 9.30 am, they opened unprovoked small arms fire in the Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba district,” he said. “Despite provocations and targeted fire by them, we didn’t retaliate and exercised restraint in view of Diwali,” he said. The officer said for the past few days, Pakistan had been opening fire on Indian posts to provoke the BSF and escalate border tension. In Samba, they again opened fire around 11.20 am, 11.25 am and 11.40 am. Thereafter, there was a brief lull and then around 5.45 pm, they again opened small arms fire in the Arnia area, he said. "The Pakistan Rangers kept firing till 8.10 pm while the Diwali celebrations were on. In view of the festival, we again didn’t retaliate," he added. At Marheen village of Kathua district, villagers yesterday staged a protest at a relief camp demanding an end to their miserable plight. “The villagers, forced to stay in relief camps due to Pakistani shelling and firing, demanded a permanent solution to the problem. The government should evolve a permanent solution. They (displaced villagers) should be given plots in safer zones,” said Kamal Kumar, a resident of Marheen village. Meanwhile, the Kathua district administration organised Diwali programmes at relief camps in Hiranagar and Kathua yesterday. Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and other officials distributed sweets, gift items and sports articles among the displaced persons and children. The ceasefire violations by Pakistan since October 1 have so far left 10 persons dead and over 95 injured, including 13 security personnel. Over 35,000 people in nearly 120 forward villages of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts have been affected by the Pakistani shelling.
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PM meets flood-hit families, political leaders in Srinagar
Srinagar, October 24 In what has been described as a “signal that everything is fine in the Valley”, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent the day with the troops at Siachen and the flood-affected in Srinagar. There were restrictions on the movement of people in parts of downtown Srinagar, while the movement of separatist leaders had been restricted to prevent any trouble. The PM had a detailed meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and senior officials of the administration to have first-hand information about the relief and rehabilitation measures in the wake of the recent floods. A number of issues related to the floods and overall developments in the state were discussed at the meeting, held at the Raj Bhavan. The PM met the representatives of various political parties, including the National Conference, PDP and BJP, traders, hoteliers and houseboat owners, travel agents, private missionary school and academicians, transporters and NGOs. “The suggestions and demands put forth by the state government and other groups have been duly taken note of,” it was stated later. The Fruit and Saffron Growers Association highlighted that most of the growers have suffered heavy losses to their crops. Besides, the fruit that is available is not being purchased at proper rates by the dealers in Delhi and other parts of the country. They requested for assistance in selling the apple, saffron and other produce in the market, crop insurance, cold storage and cold chain facility, subsidy for transporting the produce to the market and moratorium on bank loans repayment/soft loans facility. The hoteliers, houseboat owners, shikarawalas and travel agents said a large number of business establishments have suffered total losses and had demanded ex gratia, concessional soft loan facility, 10 years’ tax holiday, speedy settlement of insurance claims and negating the adverse publicity generated in the media about J&K. The transporters told the Prime Minister that a large number of vehicles had been completely or partially damaged and their offices completely destroyed. They also highlighted that the drivers, conductors, cleaners and other staff of such vehicles have become unemployed. Therefore they requested for financial assistance in the form of ex gratia and soft loans for revival of the transport sector.
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Modi’s visit to Siachen boosts Army’s morale
Srinagar, October 24 The surprise visit came on a day when he was already scheduled to spend the festival day with the “sisters and brothers affected by the unfortunate floods in Kashmir”. Before embarking on the visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister tweeted to visit the Siachen Glacier early on Thursday morning. “Am going to Siachen with a message from each and every Indian to our soldiers - that we stand shoulder to shoulder with you,” Narender Modi tweeted. The Prime Minister continued with his visit to Srinagar after spending sometime with Army jawans and officers at the icy heights in Jammu and Kashmir. “Perhaps this is the first time that a PM has got the wonderful opportunity of spending time with our jawans on this auspicious day of Diwali,” he said on the occasion. The Prime Minister also addressed the jawans lauding their role while guarding the borders. Modi also shared sweets with officers and jawans on the occasion. “From the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier and with the brave jawans and officers of the armed forces, I wish all of you a Happy Diwali,” he said. The message to the countrymen has been a morale booster for the Army, guarding the borders. He observed that the jawans on the icy heights, unlike anywhere in the world, were alert to guard the borders under the coldest conditions ranging between the temperatures of minus 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. He himself had the experience of the extreme cold conditions in which the troops were performing their duties far away from their homes. The PM’s gesture has boosted the morale of the Army at all levels. “The (Siachen) visit has really boosted the morale of the Army at all levels,” said Lt Gen Subrata Saha, GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps of the Army, also known as the Chinar Corps.
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Haryana govt yet to give clearance to Bhatinda-Srinagar gas pipeline
Jammu, October 24 Following bureaucratic hiccups, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to take up the matter with the new BJP-led formation in Haryana to expedite the work on the project. “Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had early this year written to his former counterpart Bhupinder Singh Hooda, requesting him for his personal intervention to sort out all administrative matters related to the gas pipeline,” Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan told The Tribune. “The project, however, could not get clearance from the neighbouring state following announcement of Assembly elections there,” he added. Ramzan said his department would again take up the matter with the neighbouring state and they were hopeful of getting approval for the project soon, adding that the Punjab Government has already cleared the prestigious project. “It would ensure round-the-clock supply to the state, particularly to Kashmir valley where people face hardships in getting LPG cylinders following closure of roads due to snowfall every year,” the minister said. A senior official of the department, who requested anonymity, said the Haryana Government had raised certain objections, including the use of its land for the project. “The project was supposed to be completed within 36 months of its approval in June 2012. However, it runs the risk of getting delayed due to non-clear ance from the Haryana Government,” the official said. The Rs 880-crore project was envisaged to connect Jammu and Kashmir with the National Gas Grid through the pipeline and finally link individual households with gas stations through a network of supply lines for round-the-clock supply of cooking gas, especially during the winter when the Valley is covered with snow. The proposed gas pipeline that would originate from Bhatinda would cover eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir after passing through Haryana. Earlier, the project faced legal hurdles with regard to the acquisition and use of land coming under the project in the state as J&K holds special status under the Article 370. The ruling National Conference-Congress dispensation in the state had to bring an ordinance to facilitate the land acquisition process for early start of work and hassle-free activities for laying the gas pipeline. The project is to be executed by M/s Gujarat State Petronet Limited. The project not only covers the civil work to lay gas pipeline and build the pump or compressor stations, but it also has covers all the works related to the installation of the field devices that would support the remote operation.
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PM lauds Omar for participating in Swachh Bharat campaign
Srinagar, October 24 The Prime Minister wrote on Twitter: “Wonderful effort by @abdullah_omar! His efforts towards Swachh Bharat will inspire people of J&K and will strengthen the mission.” Omar nominated his sister Sarah Pilot, opposition Peoples Democratic Party president and MP Mehbooba Mufti, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, actress Deepika Padukone and journalist Arnab Goswami among others for the cleaning campaign. Omar took to the streets of Srinagar on October 22 night. He posted his pictures of cleaning the streets along with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commisioner and officials on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Omar was nominated by actor Salman Khan for the campaign. “Thanks for the nomination @BeingSalmanKhan. Watch this space for my contribution and the names of the nine (persons) I will have to nominate,” Omar had written on Twitter while responding to Salman’s nomination. Meanwhile, CM’s posting of cleaning pictures on internet a day before the Prime Minister’s visit has been viewed as an appeasing move instead of a humanitarian one. “I really marvel at the timing of the appearance of these pictures. Srinagar has been lying dumped in garbage for almost a month now, but the CM never bothered to clean its streets. It took Salman Khan to remind him of the same and his timing of cleaning the streets at the time of the PM’s visit is also nothing but a political gesture,” Uqab, a Srinagar resident tweeted. “Had he started this campaign earlier, I am sure people would have appreciated the move, but our CM was more interested in joining the celebrity campaign rather than being concerned about the hygiene of the city,” Bakir, a networking engineer, wrote on Facebook.
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15 Corps GOC briefs Governor on security
Srinagar, October 24 Lt General Saha, as per an official statement, briefed the Governor about the obtaining security scenario, the to-date restoration status of the Badami Bagh Cantonment in the aftermath of the floods, conclusion of the time-bound operation to completely clear the Tosa Maidan firing range of any material which could cause any harm, whatsoever, and security issues relating to the forthcoming state Assembly elections. The Governor complimented Lt General Saha for the quick time within which entire Tosa Maidan had been fully cleaned and cleared for being developed as a tourist spot.
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BJP takes up issue of border residents with PM
Jammu, October 24 Addressing a press conference after his return from Srinagar here today, Jugal Kishore appreciated the Prime Minister for announcing a relief package for the flood victims and construction of hospitals in the Valley. He said the BJP delegation also demanded direct money transfer to the sufferers, which was accepted by the Prime Minister. The BJP leader further said: “It was also demanded that relief of Rs 5 lakh each should be given to the persons killed in Pakistani firing.” “It was indeed a very good gesture on part of the Prime Minister to agree in principle with assurance of immediate decisions,” he added. The BJP state president also criticised Congress leaders for not meeting the Prime Minister and making use of his visit to highlight the sufferings of the affected people.“It has totally exposed the Congress for its anti-people approach and
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Army assured of alternative site for firing range
Srinagar, October 24 The firing range in central Kashmir’s Budgam had been under the use of Army and other security forces for over six decades before its lease expired earlier this year. The Army is awaiting state government’s decision on providing adequate area for the training purpose. “We have got an assurance from the Chief Minister that we will be provided with an alternative site for the firing range,” Lt Gen Subrata Saha, GOC of the Army’s 15 Corps, told the Tribune here today. Lt General Saha said the Army cleared the Tosa Maidan within three months. “The cleaning process began on August 1 this year and was completed in 83 days which included 24 days of bad weather.” The entire area, covering 69 sq-km, has been cleared, which also includes the peripheral area of the firing range. “It is 99.9 per cent clear,” the officer said. He, however, added that the people of the area have been advised to take precautions in case they spot any explosive object. The General said people have been asked to inform the nearest Army position about any such object so as to prevent any damage or injury to any person. There are two sites already under the consideration of the state government and the Army is awaiting a final call from the state. The GOC had apprised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the mission to clear the field firing range in Budgam district during his visit to the Tosa Maidan earlier this week. The Chief Minister had appreciated the Army’s efforts to clear the area within the stipulated time. Omar had said it was long-pending demand of the people of the area to develop the Tosa Maidan as a tourist destination. He, however, had maintained that it was important for the Army and other security forces to impart training to its personnel. The Chief Minister also said the requirement to provide an alternative site to the Army was already under consideration of the state government and a final decision in this regard got delayed only because of the recent floods. Omar had hoped that soon the area will be on the tourist map of the state.
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Rajouri, October 24 Sources said the trio was engaged by Mohammad Bashir for harvesting and had taken shelter under the cattleshed as it was raining heavily. The injured were rushed to District Hospital, Rajouri, from where Said Mohammad and Shokat Ahmed were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital at Jammu. — OC
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12 missing since September floods in Kashmir valley
Srinagar, October 24 An official document said 35 people had gone missing during the floods. Of them 12 are still missing, it said. “Twenty persons have been traced and bodies of three were recovered after the floods,” the document reveals. In Srinagar alone, 45 people died during the floods and the highest casualty (25 persons) was seen in south of the city — the worst-affected area during the floods. The government has sanctioned ex gratia in favour of the kin of 39 killed in Srinagar district. The ex gratia includes Rs 2 lakh from the Centre and Rs 1.50 lakh from the state government. Five persons are still missing from Srinagar district and three among them are from southern part of the city. The police said after the floods hit Srinagar, 22 persons had gone missing. The documents reveals that two people are missing from Budgam, three from Handwara in north Kashmir, one each from Anantnag in south Kashmir and Sopore in north Kashmir. In the four districts of south Kashmir, hit by the floods much before Srinagar was inundated, seven people had gone missing.Twentythree persons died during the floods in south Kashmir. The worst hit was Kulgam district where nine people died. A resident of Sopore, Irshan Ahmed Khwaja, had gone missing while rescuing trapped people.
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PM’s relief package a cruel joke: Soz
Srinagar, October 24 “Narendra Modi’s announcement regarding the relief package for the sufferers of the recent floods amounted to a cruel joke with the people of state,” said J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz. “He should have been conscious of the level of devastation that had taken place in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir…Rs 575 crore for reconstruction of houses is like adding insult to the injury,” Soz said. Questioning PM’s “delayed response” to the devastation caused by floods, he said: “The Modi government has already lost two months in organising response to the devastation in Kashmir and now he intends to examine the situation through a team of experts which may further delay the relief.” The Congress leader also said Modi should allow international aid for the people of the state. Prime Minister during his visit to the Valley yesterday had hinted at direct Central assistance for the people. Soz, however, said Modi had “taken a leaf from the UPA’s book”. — TNS
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Hideout busted in Kupwara
Srinagar, October 24 “Acting on a tip-off, the Kupwara police along with 28 RR launched a search operation on Thursday in the forest area of Watnar, Anderbugh, Lolab. During the search, a militant hideout was busted and huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered,” a police spokesman said in Srinagar. The recovery included AK 56 rifle, five AK magazines, 1,000 AK rounds, UBGL, two UBGL grenades, four pistol, four pistol magazines, 32 pistol rounds and 21 grenades. The police have registered a case in this regard. Defence sources said the weapons recovered from the hideout were in good working conditions and not rusty.
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Centre yet to approve embankment project on Indo-Pakistan border
Jammu, October 24 If senior officers of the BSF are to be believed, the embankment may take a decade or even more. “It’s a big project with a big cost. Unfortunately, it has hogged the media attention across the world but the fact is that the Centre is yet to accord sanction to it,” said a senior BSF officer. “The BSF does not have much role in the project. We have submitted the design (of embankment) as per our requirement. The CPWD (Central Public Works Department) would be executing it after getting approval of the Centre,” he added. Another officer said the project faced several hurdles. “From sanction of funds and a hostile Pakistan that would never want this project to come up for obvious reasons, a lot of factors are involved in it. Though the state government might have done its paper work (revenue survey) in border villages, it also has to give compensation to the farmers, whose lands will be acquired,” he said. The BSF officers drew attention towards the border fencing project, saying Pakistan had tried its best to stall the project by opening unprovoked fire. “We had to put metal canopies on earth excavators to protect them from Pakistan firing and then somehow we could start it. The project was completed in phases,” a BSF officer said. “This embankment project, which will also be completed in phases, has already drawn much media attention in striking contrast to the fact that no actual work has started so far anywhere along the international border,” the officer said. Last year, Subhash Joshi, predecessor of BSF Director General DK Pathak had told the media that India was all set to embark on the ambitious project in Jammu and Kashmir. The embankment behind the existing border fence along the international border would give a secured atmosphere to the farmers living close to it. The border runs from Paharpur on the Punjab-Kathua border to Akhnoor in Jammu district. Land is being acquired in 118 villages of Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts.
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PDP yet to fix candidates for 4 Valley seats
Srinagar, October 24 Party sources said candidates would be chosen after the Election Commission takes a final call on the elections. “The names of candidates would be announced soon,” said a senior PDP leader. The party had announced the first list of candidates in June this year. Of the 46 Assembly segments, the PDP has not named candidates for four Assembly segments that include Habba Kadal and Batamaloo in Srinagar, Gurez constituency in Bandipora district and the Baramulla constituency. Sources said the party leaders were undecided about who to nominate from these constituencies. In Baramulla, the PDP is yet to find replacement for Member of Parliament Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in May. The Baramulla Assembly constituency was represented by Baig in the past two consecutive terms.
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Child labour goes on unabated
Samba, October 24 As per law, no child below the age of 14 can be employed for any type of labour. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act came into force in 1986. However, the law is being violated under the nose of the law-enforcing agencies in Samba district. Children employed as labourers say they work because of the family compulsion. “I don’t have any other means of income in my family. That is why I have no other option but to work at this sweet shop,” said Raju, 12, who works in Samba town. “Children below 14 years are being exploited by big businessmen and rich people in Samba. The growing cases of child labour have exposed the ineffectiveness of the Labour Department to control child labour in Samba district,” said Nilambar Dogra, a social activist. Children are being brought from the Sumb, Goran, Papad and Bani-Billawar areas of the district and made to work as labourers, he said. “These children are underage and in need of money due to varied circumstances. They can easily be motivated to do any type of labour but the Labour Department does not take strong action against those involved in this social evil,” said Karan Singh, president, Peoples Forum for Human Values. Social organisations and locals have urged the department to take strong and result-oriented steps to root out the menace from Samba and save the future of the country. Officials at the district Labour Department said they had received around 60 complaints related to child labour, adding that it was becoming increasingly difficult for them to inspect all cases as the department was facing staff shortage. “We have received complaints and directed the enforcement officers to conduct raids on such shops and business establishments. Legal action will be taken against those found guilty,” said Rakesh Kumar, Assistant Labour Commisioner, Samba.
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Guv inaugurates research centre, referral laboratory at
SKUAST-K
Srinagar, October 24 “The RCRQA has been established for providing testing facilities and analytical services to agricultural producers, agribusinesses, individuals and government agencies. The three laboratories comprising RCRQA are Pesticide Residue Laboratory, Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory, and Quality Testing Laboratory for Pesticide Formulations. This research centre has been notified as a state referral laboratory by the state government,” an official statement said. The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the SKUAST-K, went around the laboratories and interacted with the staff on the job. He was briefed about the analytical services to be provided by the research centre, which include quality testing of pesticide formulations, pesticides residue and veterinary medicine analysis in various food matrices, mycotoxins in agricultural produce, soil and plant tissue analysis of all nutrients, trace level elemental analysis of water and agricultural produce. The Governor advised the Director of the research centre to maintain extremely strict standards and ensure provision of quality services. The Governor also inaugurated a guest house, Kirkichoo House, on Shalimar Campus and the Student’s Facility Centre, a library and boys hostel (Iqbal Hall) for postgraduate students on Shuhama Campus. The Governor went around all the buildings, inspected the facilities provided therein, and discussed future infrastructure extension plans for the university with Dr Tej Pratap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K.
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No bills raised by Defence Ministry for rescue ops: Union Home Secy
Srinagar, October 24 “There is some information going on that bills were raised….. No such bills have been raised by the Ministry of Defence,” the Union Home Secretary told mediapersons here last evening while giving details of the Prime Minister Narender Modi’s day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Diwali. After spending some time with troops at the highest battlefield of Siachen, the Prime Minister reached here on Thursday afternoon. The Prime Minister held meetings with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and senior officers to review the relief and rehabilitation measures after the floods. “All the announcements made by the Prime Minister are a part of the PM’s Relief Fund… The memorandum (of Rs 44,000 crore) submitted by the state government to the Centre is different and that would be considered and adequately addressed….” Anil Goswami said. He gave details of the five major heads as announced by the Prime Minister after the meetings with the state government and delegations of people from different walks of life. The Union Home Secretary informed that the Prime Minister “stated that good governance, quick restoration of public infrastructure, revival of economic activity and creation of conducive environment for bringing the tourists to the state is the key to bring normalcy.” “He said his visit to Srinagar on the occasion of Diwali will send out a signal that everything is fine in the Valley and The Prime Minister, the Union Home Secretary said, had reached Srinagar at 2 pm after the Siachin visit and proceeded to meeting with the state government on different issues related to the recent floods.
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Youth demand end to ban on Muharram processions
Srinagar, October 24
Traditionally on Muharram 8, Shiites in large numbers used to march from Guru Bazar and proceed through Lal Chowk area of the city before the grand procession culminated at Dalgate. Another major procession, before militancy, used to be taken out from Abi Guzar to Zadibal on Ashura (Muharram 10). However, both have been banned by the government fearing law and order problems even as other minor processions elsewhere are allowed. The Shiites hold a series of processions and religious functions during Muharram especially during the first 10 days to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, his family and companions during the seventh century battle of Karbala in present day Iraq. |
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Inter-school football cup from Oct 28
Srinagar, October 24 The school teams participating in the tournament have been asked to submit the date of birth certificates of the participating players to determine their eligibility. The JKFA will later coach the winning team students and those teams will later participate in North Zone Coca Cola Championship, 2014, to be organised by the All-India Football Federation. “Schools who have already submitted their entries are requested to renew their confirmation,” JKFA’s official handout read. The tournament will start from October 28 both at Polo Ground in Srinagar and Chattergam in Budgam.
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Students’ hard work lost in floods
Srinagar, October 24 Gulzar had hardly imagined that his neatly maintained notebooks for the entire year will be washed away in the gushing Jhelum waters. “We were totally unaware when the floodwaters came to our area. We were half asleep when water reached our lawn. We were told by our neighbours to leave and I just picked up my bag and left the house. While running, I fell and lost my bag. This is the worst thing that has happened to me in the floods,” said Gulzar, who now lives at his relative’s place in the uptown Srinagar. Gulzar feels traumatised about the hard work that he did for the entire year while preparing for his Class X exams as now he is left with no books. Though the date sheets of Classes X and XII were already notified before the floods, all exams were cancelled keeping in view the crisis. There has been no announcement so far for students regarding their books and stationery by the government. However, some local volunteers are helping the students in getting their books and stationery. The devastating floods gave a setback to the education sector in the Valley with preliminary losses estimated to be around Rs 165 crore. Thousands of students have been affected due to the floods. “It is not about losing books only. We have lost our hard work that we prepared the entire year. We are depressed,” said Mehreen, Gulzar’s sister. This is not the story of one student, but thousands of them who have been shattered by the floods. With no end in sight, the students still dream big of rebuilding their educational career.
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Saddar court starts work from Sanat Ghar
Srinagar, October 24 The Saddar Courts complex was devastated by floods that hit Kashmir in the first week of September.
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Tax revenue expected to increase from
Rs 2,683 cr to Rs 7,500 cr: Rather
Srinagar, October 24 “The tax revenue, which was just Rs 2,683 crore in 2008-09, at the time coalition government headed by CM Omar Abdullah took over, has increased three times and is expected to touch to Rs 7,500 crore by the end of the current financial,” Rather said. The minister said the non-tax revenue has also increased from Rs 837 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 3,560 crore in 2014-15, whereas the states approved plan outlay has increased from Rs 4,500 crore in 2008-09 to a whooping Rs 11,300 crore in 2014-15. Rather, while addressing a gathering of senior officials and field agencies of the Excise and Commercial Taxes, Accounts and the Treasuries Department, termed the past six years of the coalition government as “memorable era in restructuring of the state economy”. He said it was a “landmark performance” in tax revenue growth that has been achieved without imposing any new taxes and despite announcing many tax exemptions and concessions through the last six Budgets. The function was organised to release a souvenir highlighting “some path-breaking initiatives” taken by the present government for restructuring of the state economy, a government spokesperson said. Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi; Excise Commissioner Zaffar Ahmad; Director General Accounts and Treasuries Mirza Altaf Hussain; Director General Budgets Ishaq Wani; Director Finance Showkat Aijaz; Director Accounts and Treasuries, Kashmir, Mohammad Yousuf Pandit; Additional Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kashmir, Shamim Ahmad Wani; and Deputy Commissioners of the Excise and Taxation Department were present on the occasion. He said it had been his endeavour to improve the image of the Finance Department among the people and the policy-makers of the state by creating a congenial work culture.
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Licences of 2 drug stores suspended
Srinagar, October 24 During the drive, 93 drug sale establishments were inspected, among which licences of two firms were suspended for a period of three days and drugs worth Rs 2,000 were confiscated by the supervisory staff. These are Al Amin Medicate, Natipora, and Pervaiz Chemists and Druggists. The exercise has been necessitated on the basis of inputs that certain vendors are indulging in sale of flood-hit medicines. — TNS
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Cong minister Sham Lal quits Jammu, October 24 Sources said Sharma, who holds the PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, was miffed at the way the Finance Department was adopting dilly-dallying tactics in regularising temporary workers who had been serving in different departments since 1994. During the last Cabinet meeting, Sharma had raised the issue, but no decision could be taken then. For the past two years, Sharma had been trying to get these workers regularised on the plea that their counterparts in the Kashmir valley had been regularised a long time ago. Sources said Sharma had urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to regularise the workers before the model code of conduct was enforced.
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Over Rs 1 cr flood-hit food items destroyed Srinagar, October 24 Acting on specific inputs that flood-contaminated food commodities are being offered for sale to consumers, sleuths of the Drug and Food Control Organisation, under the instructions of the Commissioner, Food Safety, carried out raids in various areas in Anantnag, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Baramulla, Budgam and Shopian districts. During the drive, the regulatory staff destroyed and confiscated huge quantities of wheat, flour, tea, tea bags, semi-grinded chilli powder, toned milk, biscuits and edible oil worth Rs 1.42 crore. The traders were found in the process of pumping such commodities to the remote areas of various districts for putting them for sale to the public. The Commissioner of Food Safety has made an appeal to the general public to observe packaging conditions at the time of food article purchase and ensure that the impressions of flood are not borne by such food articles. In case of any genuine complaint the same should be brought to the notice of the district administration concerned for its lawful
cognisance.
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Jammu, October 24
Jammu, October 24
Jammu, October 24
Jammu, October 24
Anantnag, October 24
Srinagar, October 24
Srinagar, October 24
Srinagar, October 24
Jammu, October 24
Srinagar, October 24
Srinagar, October 24
Srinagar, October 24
