Political reservations to SCs extended by 10 years

Constitutional Amendment Bill extending Political reservations to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the state by another 10 years, Bill to amend the J&K Representation Act 2004 and Bill to Amend the J&K Public Safety Act (PSA) 1978 were passed by State Assembly today.

While the Constitutional Amendment Bill extending political reservations to SCs by another 10 years was passed by two third majority of the House as all members including those of Opposition PDP, BJP, its rebel group and NPP stood up in support of the Bill, the other two bills, needing simple majority were passed by a voice vote.

Earlier Leader of Opposition Ms Mehbooba Mufti who had to attend her party progrmmme while taking the leave of the House assured full support to Speaker on the Constitutional Amendment Bill introduced by Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, saying her Party was fully with the cause of weaker sections.

Supporting the Bill, NPP member Harsh Dev Singh said that the Bill was over due in 2010 as the Constitutional reservations to SCs had ended at that time and had the elections been announced in 2011 or 2012 these people would have been deprived of political reservations.

He while supporting the Bill strongly advocated that political reservations be also given to Gujjars and Bakerwals. Earlier Ch. Zulfkar of PDP also demanded political reservations for Gujjars and Bakerwals.

BJP's Ashok Khajuria also supported the Bill saying the Gujjars and Bakerwals be also given the right. Same were the views of Prof Chaman Lal Gupta who said Bill was over due and favoured reservations for Gujjars and Bakerwals too.

Nizam-ud-Din Bhat of PDP said the 53 year period of reservations to these people ended in January 2010 and our Party Leader Mehbooba Mufti also gave full assurance to the passage of the Bill because it fits our social commitments to change fate of the weaker sections of the society. He too pleaded that STs be considered for the political reservations.

However the Bill to change the J&K Reservation Act tabled by Revenue Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Raman Bhalla generated much heat in the House with PDP MLA Ch Zulfkar and rebel BJP MLAs belonging to SC communities and Yashpal Kundal of NPP raising apprehensions about the legislation.

Mr Bhalla strongly advocated in favour of Legislation saying that it was a special recruitment drive aimed at return of the Kashmiri migrants who had left the Valley due to turmoil. Seeking support of entire House in passage of the Bill, Bhalla said it was concern of all parties baring their political affiliations that these people should be rehabilitated in the Valley.

Maintaining that it is PM's special package and confined to migrants only, he expressed his gratitude to Kashmiri Muslims for rendering their cooperation in implementation of the package. He said these children who had left the Valley are at the verge of getting over aged and steps were taken for de-reservation of the posts. ``The Government has to advertise more 3000 posts in the package and for the same purpose the amendment in the Act has become necessary'' he added.

He said the amendment in the Section 5 of the Act was necessary as there were no SCs and STs among this category.

Intervening Speaker, Mohammed Akbar Lone, said it was because of Minister's efforts that the migrants were appointed in Valley and joined their duties there. These people were in trouble and you should appreciate the Government for the same, he added.

However Ch Zulfkar was not satisfied with the reply and he along with rebel BJP's Prof Garu Ram, Bharat Bhushan and Durga Dass and NPP's Yash Paul Kundal stood up from their seats saying that they are not opposed to appointment of migrant youth but demand their right. They came to the Well of the House and protested there. Later they staged a walkout.

Ashok Kumar of Congress and Nazir Gurezi of NC also spoke in favour of the Bill but demanded reservation be given to SCs and STs in contractual appointments. NPP's Harsh Dev Singh while supporting the Bill said that his Party is not against the de-reservation of the posts but can't the Government create additional posts in proportion to SC and ST ratio.

As per the amendment in respect of selection of candidates under the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant (Special Drive) Recruitment rules, 2009, if candidates are not available from any reserved category, other than those falling under sub clause (i) of clause (O) of Section 2, the posts earmarked for any such reserved category may be filled up from amongst the eligible candidates in open merit category.

Mr Bhalla said there is no possibility of the candidates who can apply against the posts reserved for SC/ST categories and the possibility of selection of candidates from other categories also seems to be very remote. The amendment Bill aims at filling up the posts in case the candidates are not available from any reserved category. The House passed the Bill with voice vote. Later the Bill was also passed in Upper House.

Supporting the Amendment in J&K Public Safety Act (PSA), which was introduced by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Rural Development, Ali Mohammed Sagar on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, NPP's Harsh Dev Singh wanted to know that was there any provision in detaining a person below 18 years as has been done under PSA.

Nizam-ud-Din Bhat wanted an amendment in the Bill that in addition to child below 18 years, the adult after 60 years be also not detained under PSA. But Bhat's, amendment to the Bill was defeated when put to vote.

Sagar said the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978, is being amended to make it more humane and to address the concerns of various organizations dealing with the protection of human rights. He said the persons who are citizens of India and have not attained the age of 18 years have been exempted from being detained under the Act. The stipulated period of eight weeks prescribed for State Advisory Board to give its opinion has been reduced to six weeks.

The Minister said the maximum period of detention of 12 months stipulated in Section 18 of the Act in case of persons acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public law and order has been reduced to three months in the first instance extendable to 12 months. Similarly, in case of persons acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the State, the period of detention has been stipulated six months in the first instance extended up to two years, he added.

Later the amendment Bill was passed by the House.

Train plies without driver

Shiv Sena condemns Drama by MLAs

Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations

Tajikistan Ambassador in jammu Kashmir

Tajikistan Ambassador visits shrines of Shah -
i-Hamdan, Bulbul Shah

The Ambassador of Tajikistan, Saidbeg Saidov today visited the Shrines of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) and Hazrat Shahi-i- Hamdan (RA) and paid obeisance there.

The Ambassador, who is the descendent of Hazrat Shah-i-Hamdan(RA) and belongs to Qulab Khatlan, is on a visit to Kashmir Valley. He visited the shrine of Hazrat Bulbul Shah(RA) and said that the great spiritual personality is considered one of the esteemed saints not only in Kashmir but in entire world. He said that it was under his spiritual influence that King of Kashmir Hazrat Sadr-u-din in 13th century adopted realistic way of life and proved his acumen under the moral guidance of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) . He also paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Sadr-u-Din (RA).

The Ambassador immediately after paying obeisance at Mazar-i-sharief of Hazrat Bulbul Shah(RA) proceeded via Aali Kadal and Zaina Kadal route to Khankah-i-Moula where he was received by Mujjawirs and respectable personalities of the area.

He was shown the historical sacred 600 year old holy manuscript of holy Quran written by Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani(RA). He offered prayers at Khankah. He was also presented a copy of Awrad Fatehya on the occasion.

On the occasion, Kh. Farooq Renzushah, Chairman Hazrat Bulbul Shah Trust, Er. Afaq Chesti, Chairman Khawaja Garib Nawaz Trust, Head of Department, Islamic Research Institute, Kashmir University, Hameed Naseem Rafiabadi and other respectable citizens of the area were present.

Coldest night in Valley

Two youth held in Delhi for thefts

Kangris back in kashmir

Jugal files nomination for MLC

Former minister Jugal Kishore Sharma today filed his nomination papers as the Congress-National Conference coalition’s joint canididate for lone MLC seat falling vacant in Legislative Council due to death of Yashpal Sharma. The nomination papers were filed before the Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Mohammed Ramzan, who is also Returning Officer of bye-election to the Legislative Council of Jammu and Kashmir. He filed his nomination in the presence of PCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and senior coalition ministers, legislators and other Congress leaders.

The occasion was used by Congress camp to demonstrate a united front amid the usual undercurrents of factionalism.

Soz reached the winter capital along with Jugal’s nomination. He however first visited former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma at his residence. There were speculations that Mangat might file nomination papers.However Soz while talking to media queries on this account tried to play down the issue. He also described his visit to Mangat’s place before coming to state legislature for Jugal’s nomination as “just a courtesy visit to a senior party leader’s house.”

The vacant seat of MLC would be filled from amongst the persons who are residents of Jammu province.
Earlier Jugal accompanied by his large number of supporters reached at the state legislature complex at 12.03 PM and straightway went to Deputy Chief Minister’s room. From there he joined by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and other ministers and Congress leaders Taj Mohi-ud-Din, G M Saroori, Shabir Khan, Suman Bhagat, Kanta Andotra, Gharu Ram, Jehangir Mir, Abdul Majid Wani, Mohammed Amin Bhat went to the room of Secretary Legislative Assembly.

At around 12.10 PM, Soz joined by Ministers R S Chib, Ali Mohammed Sagar, MLC Ravinder Sharma, PCC members Hari Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Mula Ram, Indu Pawar reached there and joined them. After a while Minister for Health Sham Sharma too joined.

Later both Soz and Jugal joined by other Congress leaders went to the office of Chairman Legislative Council.Jugal later talking to media thanked the UPA Chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for giving him mandate. Slogans of “Sonia Gandhi…, Soz Sahib…Azad Sahib….Zindabad..” revereberated.

Sheikh Mushtaq to be new Secy GAD

Fake appointments multi crore scam busted 

Release ration cards of genuine families

66 Percent MLAs are Crorepatis

More than one-third of candidates elected in the just concluded Assembly polls have criminal cases against them, with Uttar Pradesh topping the list.

35 per cent or 252 of the 690 MLAs elected to the five Assemblies—Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa—have criminal background, a rise of eight per cent since 2007.

Also, 66 per cent or 457 of the newly elected MLAs were ‘crorepatis’, according to an analysis of affidavits the candidates had submitted to the Election Commission.

The analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch also shows that compared to Assembly elections in 2007, there is over 32 per cent increase in the number of crorepati MLAs and about eight per cent rise in the winning candidates with a criminal past this time.

In 2007, voters in these five States had chosen about 190 or 27 per cent MLAs with criminal past, while more than 235 or 34 per cent of candidates having assets worth more than one crore were elected to those Assemblies.

According to the analysis, a total of 189 (47 per cent) new MLAs in the new Uttar Pradesh Assembly have declared criminal cases against them, compared to 140 (34 per ent) in the 2007 Assembly.

Similarly, 271 or 67 per cent new MLAs in the State are crorepatis, compared to 124 crorepati MLAs elected in 2007.

While Samajwadi Party’s Mitra Sen who won from Bikapur seat topped the list of tainted MLAs with 36 criminal cases, Nawab Kazim Ali Khan of Congress from Suar constituency topped the rich list with a declared total assets worth Rs 56.89 crore followed by Shah Alam of BSP from Mubarakpur with assets worth Rs. 54.44 Crores.

Manipur is the only State, where not a single elected candidate who has declared any pending criminal cases against him or her.

However, the new Assembly witnessed a sharp rise among wealthy MLAs with 16 have declared assets worth more than Rs one crore. In 2007 Assembly there was only one MLA who was a crorepati.

In Punjab, the recent polls witnessed 22 candidates with a criminal past winning the elections, compared to 21 such tainted MLAs in the 2007 Assembly.

So far as the money power is concerned, more than 86 per cent of the candidates fared well in the State, as voters sent about 86 per cent or 101 crorepatis to the 117-member Assembly this time. There were 77 (66 per cent) crorepatis in the 2007 Assembly.

In Goa, voters have chosen 37 (93 per cent) crorepatis and 12 (30 per cent) candidates with tainted past to the 40-member Assembly this year. In 2007, their number was 22 and nine respectively.

Similarly in Uttarakhand, 19 (22 per cent) new MLAs have criminal cases against them, while 32 (46 per cent) crorepatis managed to enter the new Assembly. Their figures in 2007 were 17 and 12 respectively.

Rich tributes paid to Dr Ambedkar on his 55th anniversary

FM Radio Sharda in Jammu 

lawyers strike Continued

Cases against dozen KAS officers pending in courts

Over a dozen KAS officers (both retired and serving) figure among those accused against whom cases are under trial for corruption charges in the courts of Special Judge Anti-Corruption/ Additional Sessions Judge Anti-Corruption at Jammu and Srinagar, awaiting disposal.

As per the official statistics available with `JK News’, their cases are among 215 cases under trial against ministers, MLAs, MLCs, ex-ministers, ex-legislators, IAS, IPS, KAS, KPS and other gazetted officers in these courts. 

In certain cases, FIRs were filed in the year 1989 yet they are still awaiting disposal.55 cases, involving 79 accused including politicians and senior bureaucrats, are under trial (till September 15’11) in the courts of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu and Additional Sessions Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu.

Out of them, few accused even hold an unenviable distinction of having multiple cases registered against them. In a particular case around 10 separate FIRs have been registered against former DEO Poonch M Y Kohli.

In all 10 cases, the case is at the stage of defence evidence. Out of 10 FIRs, one was registered 22 years ago in 1989.

Similarly in the courts of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar and Additional Sessions Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar, 160 cases against around 400 accused involving politicians, bureaucrats and other gazetted officers are under trial.

Sitting MLA Kalakot Rash Pal Singh who also enjoys the status of Minister of State in his capacity as Vice-Chairman Kissan Welfare Board is a co-accused with former DC Excise Jammu J S Modi and former ETO Jammu Bhopinder Singh Manocha in a case vide FIR No 34/97 under sections 5(2) P C Act r/w 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 477-A, 201 and 120-B RPC. In this case, the charges have not been framed so far by the court. However, the charges in the challan are that accused persons in connivance with each other misappropriated/embezzled an amount of Rs 3,05,45,000 due to be paid by M/S Kuldip Singh and Co Jammu as excise duty.

LPA was pending before division bench of J&K High Court Jammu against the order of single bench wherein FIR was ordered to be quashed.

MLA Shangus, Anantnag Mansoor Hussain Shorewardi is one among 9 accused in a case FIR No 21/93 U/S 5(2) P C Act r/w 409, 120-B. The case was filed against Mansoor and other 8 accused, when he was AEE REW Anantnag. As per the charges, the part of multicrore rural development scam Anantnag wherein crores of rupees have been withdrawn against non-existent works, double drawl and substandard works and state has been put to loss to the tune of Rs 4,77,436. The money had been sanctioned by Government of India under JRY scheme and operation Black Board with the object to generate employment among youth and rural engineering wing Anantnag was the executing agency.

Other accused in this case included Abdul Rehman the then BDO, Shangus, Abdul Khaliq Wani, the then Chief Planning Officer, Anantnag, Mohammed Shafi Bhat, the then AEE REW, Anantnag, Abdul Gani Kuchay the then AE, REW Anantnag, Khurshid Ahmed Shah, the then AEE REW Anantnag, Mirza Ahmedullah the then AO DRDK, Manzoor Ahmed Maboo, the then Executive Engineer, REW Anantnag and Abdul Gani Gadyari, the then Deputy Director, A&T, Kashmir.

The case is at a stage of prosecution evidence but trial has prolonged due to absence of accused persons. 

The name of former Commissioner Secretary Education department J&K Ajit Kumar (now retired) is one among those 5 IAS officers, whose cases are under trial in the anti-corruption courts. The case was registered against him vide FIR No 69/99 under sections 5(1)d r/w 5(2) P C Act r/W 120-B/RPC and KAS officer  Janak Singh (now retired), who was then FA to Additional Chief Secretary Education department, is a co-accused in this case.

As per the charges framed, the accused, while posted as Additional Chief Secretary Education department and Chairman SLPC in 1997-98 in collusion with other accused SLPC members and supplier firm purchased jute matting on highly exorbitant rates thus causing loss to the tune of Rs 57,62,500.

The petition U/S 561-A CrPC is pending before the High Court at Srinagar against the order of charge.

Mohammed Yasin Shora KAS officer and former General Manager DIC Anantnag is a co-accused with Ali Mohammed Darzi former CAO of I&C Srinagar and Mohammed Amin former Material Manager DIC Anantnag in a case registered vide FIR No 44/2000 U/S 5(2) P C Act r/w 467, 468, 471, 120-B.

The charges were that the accused in his capacity as General Manager DIC Anantnag in league with proprietor of M/S Shuhul Floor Mills, Khanabal put the state exchequer to loss fraudulently by processing/passing and drawing fictitious transport subsidy claims to the tune of Rs 57,75,833 which was carriage subsidy released in favour of the firm which had transported wheat from FCI India to Kashmir Valley though most of the trucks had not entered the Kashmir Valley.

The case is at a stage of prosecution evidence.

Among KAS officers, whose cases are under trial in these courts, also figure the names of Ghulam Mohammed Hafiz and Ghulam Rasool, against whom FIR No 14/05 was registered under U/S 5(1) (d)5(2) P C Act r/w 201, 467, 471 and 120-B RPC. At the time of registration of case, Hafiz was ACR Poonch while Rasool was Tehsildar Surankot.

In their case, the charges have not been framed so far by the court. However, the charges in the challan are that during operation “Sarpvinash” in Hill Kaka area of district Poonch about hundred families were evacuated to safer places and to compensate these families, the funds to the tune of Rs 7.40 Cr were released during the year 2003-04 and 2004-05 and it has been established during the investigation that compensation has been paid to the illegal beneficiaries in connivance with some middlemen/touts by the then ACD Chowdhary Mohammed Hafiz and other revenue officers and officials.

KAS officer and former Project Officer Wage and Employment (ACD) Kupwara Abdul Rashid is facing trial in a case registered vide FIR No 24/2010 U/S 5(2) J&K P C Act Samvat 2006 r/w 161 & 120-B RPC. As per the charges, the accused demanded and accepted Rs 10,000 in the capacity of the Project Officer Wage and Employment (ACD) Kupwara for preparing letter (order) for revalidation of funds in favour of the complainant. The case is on charges stage.

Yet another KAS officer Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Rather former Assistant Commissioner Revenue/Collector Land Acquisition, Pahalgam figures as an accused in a case registered vide FIR No 1/09 U/S 5(2) P C Act r/w 120-B, 420, 467, 468 RPC. As per the charges the accused in the capacity of Assistant Commissioner Revenue Land Acquisition, Pahalgam fraudulently manipulated the records in the process of acquisition of land for extension of Golf Course at Laripora Pahalgam and changed from 19 Marlas to 10 Kanals and 19 Marlas as such caused loss to the tune of Rs 51,75,000 by making excess payment against non-existent 10 Kanals.

KAS Officer and former Director Social Welfare Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Boda is one among 7 accused against whom the case was registered vide FIR No 5/2006 U/S 5(1) (d) P C Act r/w u/s 5(2) P C Act & 120-B RPC. As per the charges, the accused in his capacity as Director Social Welfare Kashmir in league with co-accused made purchases of steel trunks, seed bins and jute matting etc on highly exorbitant rates during the year 2004-05 without tendering process thereby putting state exchequer to a loss of Rs 42,41, 716. The case is on stage of charge.

Former SDM Kishtwar Ghulam Ali Giri is a co-accused with Chuni Lal Balopch (presently Tehsildar Akhnoor Jammu) in a case filed vide FIR No 40/2003 U/S 5(2) P C Act r/w 409, 420, 467, 120-B RPC for misappropriating food grains against artificially inflated population of Marwah and Warwan blocks of tehsil Kishtwar after falsely showing the population of these two blocks as 33147. The case is on charge stage.  

The case of another KAS officer and former DC Kupwara Shah Latif is at charge stage. Against him the case was registered vide FIR No 19/01 U/S 5(2) P C Act r/w 120-RPC for sanctioning ex-gratia relief in favour of migrants during the year 1998, who were not entitled to the same without any claim having been preferred by beneficiaries and without conducting necessary verification in league with other accused. As such a pecuniary loss to the tune of Rs 1.13 Cr was caused to the state exchequer in the shape of undue conferment of benefit upon beneficiaries.

KAS officer and former ACD Srinagar Fayaz Hussain Mir is an accused in a case registered vide FIR No 19/03 U/S 5(2) P C Act r/w 419, 420, 467, 471, 120-B RPC. He, as per charges, in the capacity of ACD Srinagar misappropriated an amount of Rs 697900 drawn on account of defunct OBB Scheme (of 1993) in conspiracy with his subordinate official. His case is at charge stage.

The case of former BDO Sopore and KAS officer Mohammed Ashraf Bhat, registered vide FIR No 20/04 U/S 5(1) d r/w 5(2) PC ACT 161, 120-RPC for demanding and accepting an amount of Rs 1000 from the complainant, is at the stage of prosecution evidence.

Ex Vice-Chancellor SKUAST Nagender Sharma is one among four accused against whom the FIR No 19/09 was filed under sections 5(2) P C Act 2006 r/w 468, 471 and 120-B RPC. In this case, the charges have not been framed so far by the court. However the charges in the challan are that accused persons in furtherance of criminal conspiracy with each other make illegal appointments in SKUAST Jammu. The case was returned for bifurcation of challan.

Omar Abdullah enjoying PDPs frustration

The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today sought to make light of remarks of his bete-noire People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti that he was running administration like a “headless chicken”, stating this demonstrated their (PDP’s) frustration and he was thoroughly enjoying it.Omar was talking to media after addressing a rally of Panchs and Sarpanchs organised by Rural Development and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs departments at Parade Ground here today.

Though initially the Chief Minister restrained himself from reacting on this statement yet he could not resist the temptation to hit back and scoff at PDP leadership for long.So when he was first asked to respond to the statement, his reaction was, “Have you ever known me to respond to statements like this? I’ve never done it nor do I plan it.”However, when similar question was redirected to him at the end of interaction as whether PDP wanted to irritate or prick him with these kind of statements, he could not exercise similar restraint and mocked, “Neither I get irritated nor I get pricked by their these kind of statements. When they (PDP) use this kind of language for me, I feel very satisfied. Reason I feel as if I’ve done something really great job.”

“Lekin Jab Woh Khamosh Ho Jaatey Hain To Main Ghabra Jaata Hoon Kyunki Khamoshi Mein Mujhe Lagata Hai Woh Khush Hain. Jab Woh Bolana Shuru Kar Detay Hain To Main Khush Ho Jaata Hoon Kyunki Jab Woh Zyada Bolatay Hain To Is Say Lagata Hai Woh Ghabra Gaye Hai, Baukhla Gaye Hain Aur Main Aur Zyada Unko Ghabraaney Aur Baukhlaaney Ki Koshish Karta Hoon (In fact their silence troubles me as this gives me an indication that they are happy. However, when they launch a verbal offensive then I feel happy. Because this indicates their nervousness and frustration which I thoroughly enjoy by redoubling my efforts to increase their anxiety, irritation with our performance graph),” Omar said.

Interestingly even during rally, he did not leave an opportunity to take a dig at PDP leadership which had been lashing out at National Conference in general and Omar in particular over power crisis in J&K.

Criticising (PDP) for “shutting eyes to the revolutionary initiatives and considerable achievements” registered by the coalition during last three years, the Chief Minister said that those who were raising hue and cry over non-availability of power could not even help generate a single MW during their tenure. “They put Baglihar in cold-storage and closed Sawalakote, which was an initiative of Farooq-led government. They did not spend a single penny on power generation. Those who have covered their eyes with black glasses only see dark,” he added.        

Even Minister for Rural Development, Law and Justice, Ali Mohammed Sagar, joining the war of words with PDP on this occasion, said that those (PDP leadership) who had launched propaganda against the coalition government was in fact “very much frustrated by witnessing the success of Omar-led dispensation in all fields of life.”

“These people are jealous of the significant work culture put in place by the coalition and historic achievements registered to ameliorate the lot of masses,” he added and said that during their (PDP) tenure they could not even transfer one service to panchayats and urban local bodies and made these non-entity units.

“There should be some limit for making false propaganda, but opposition is devoid of all such traits and is upset to see the leadership qualities of Omar Abdullah who steered the boat clear of difficult water currents to the shore of peace, stability and progress,” he said.

SALMAN RUSHDIE’S VISIT NON ISSUE: Omar also played down the raging controversy in the country over Muslim organisations’ demand of denying visa to controversial India-born writer Salman Rushdie saying that he (Rushdie) was a non-issue. He said it did not bother Indian Muslims who were more concerned about their day-to-day livelihood issues.

“Is this the first time Salman Rushdie is coming to India? As far as I know has come before this also. Why suddenly is Salman Rushdie becoming an issue? Clearly there are those who are seeking to exploit this for political purposes given that there are elections in five states in the next month. I think we underestimate the intelligence of the Indian Muslims when we try and raise issues like this which have no bearing on the day to day concerns of the Muslims. I don’t believe there are very many Muslims in India for whom a visa to Salman Rushdie will be an election issue. They’re more concerned about their day to day concerns and their future concerns,” Omar said.

“Salman has visited India before. If it was the first time, he was applying for a visa, it might be different. I don’t think this is an issue that anybody (they) should really concern (themselves with). We’re more concerned with the day to day livelihood issues of Muslims in rest of the country,” he stated

READY FOR CAMPAIGN IN PUNJAB FOR CONGRESS:

Responding to a query, Omar stated that he had not received any request or invitation for campaigning in favour of Congress in Punjab or any other state so far. “As and when I get any such request or invitation from there, I’ll definitely go there,” he reiterated. 

Veeri takes stock of peoples problems in Anantnag

 Member Legislative Council (MLC) Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) today conducted extensive tour to various villages of Anantnag district and took stock of ongoing developmental projects being executed for facilitating people of the district at earliest. The legislator impressed upon concerned executing agencies to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects with use of quality material so that a concrete infrastructure would be created once for all in the area.

During his tour the legislator met several deputations and assured them that all their genuine developmental needs would be mitigated on priority.

Interacting with the people at different places, Dr. Bashir asserted that all round development of Anantnag district like other districts is prime duty of government. He said the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is paying focussed attention for all round development of rurali ties, adding that crores of rupees are being expended on upgradation of basic infrastructure facilities in the district.

Referring to the developmental scenario of Bijbehera Constituency, Dr. Veeri said that government has already released a huge funds for carrying out developmental projects including upgradation of road connectivity, water and power supply besides thrust is also being given to improve health care and educational infrastructure in the constituency. Dr. Veeri said that an amount of Rs. 79.82 lakh have been released under Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for improving basic amenities in the villages of Bijbehara constituency. Giving details of the allocation of funds, the legislator said that Rs. 4 lakh each released for villages Khiram Parray Mohalla, Thokarpra Kanalwon, Hatigam, Darigund, Khushrowkalan, Joibal Veeri, Hanjipora Sattar and Ratherpora Panjpora, Rs. 4.5 lakh each for village Dangar Sirhama, Hajipora Veeri, Bijbehara, Rs. 4.75 lakh for Check Panjpora, Rs. 3.5 lakh each for Sofi Mohalla Kanlwon, and Nowbugh.

He said Rs. 2 lakh have also been released for village of Danjipora Sirhama, Rs. 4.25 lakh for caravan Industrial Estate Bijbehara, Rs.3.47 lakh for Jaffarpora Marhama, Rs. 3.73 lakh for Lonepora Marhama ,Rs. 2.65 lakh for Thokerpora Veeri, Rs 3.47 lakh for Ganaie Mohalla Beerwa and Rs 3. Lakh for Kud Angan Marhama for improvement of basic amenities.

Earlier, the Legislator visited the residence of Peer Bilal of Darbagh Harwan for consoling the death of his father Peer Mohammad Yasin Shah Sahib who passed away couple of days before.Dr. Veeri said that the Late Peer Yasin was a spiritual, religious scholar and was inheriting all moral values. He said the contribution made by the late saint for the welfare of the society would be remembered for ever

Karakuli may soon become history

Donning famous 'Karakuli', which once used to be a status symbol in Kashmir, is now confined to some politicians and religious leaders only while the people associated with this business say the cap may soon become history. These caps made from the tender sheepskin are mostly worn in north western frontier province in Pakistan, but Kashmiri’s too started wearing Karakuli in the early seventies. However, with the passage of time Karakuli caps have almost vanished from the markets due to its high cost and also because many consider wearing it old-fashioned. Recalling the times, when this cap was popular in Valley, Abdul Gaffar, 70, says, “People of Kashmir have been wearing Karakuli since times unknown. It used to signify high status of a man in society. Those who wore this cap were called ‘khuja’."But, as the time passed it lost its charm and now this Karakuli is confined to some old age politicians and some religious leaders. "The youth has completely neglected it and I think it would not be in market after 10 years from now and will become a thing for museum,” he remarks.

People associated with this business seem to be losing their interest because of its limited market.They are giving up this business and looking for other alternatives.“In earlier times there used to be a great demand for these caps. People used to give us money in advance to make Karakuls of their choices. This businessused to be at its peak. But then its demand declined because of the high cost and unavailability of tender sheep skin. This cap has now lost its market and only few people wear it now. We have also lost our interest

in this business as we are unable to increase its sales,” says Zahoor Ahmad, a Karakuli seller. These Karakulis earlier cost anywhere from rupees 100 to 150 but now their prices have increased and have gone up as high as rupees 7,000 to 9,000, and nobody buys them. "We too have lost our interest in this business and most of the people have given up and do some other kind of business," says Ghulam Nabi, another karakul seller. However, most of the people believe that the main cause of its decline is the brutal way in which the Karakul cap is manufactured even as the animal right activists have protested its use among masses.

The best quality Karakul with short and tight curls is made from the skin of an unborn lamb killed in the womb along with mother for getting the raw material. "In this way countless baby sheep and their mothers are brutally killed. When people became aware about this, there was an abrupt decrease in its use,” says Mohammad Iqbal, a Karakul maker.“Now this cap besides a small number of elderly has been confined to Kashmir’s political families like Sheikh family and Molvi Farooq’s family, who too wear it only on special occasions”, he adds.