Farooq takes over as Secy School Education

Farooq Ahmed Factoo today took over as Secretary School Education.

A simple but impressive function was organized by the officers and staff of School Education Department in Civil Secretariat to accord heartiest welcome to the new incumbent Farooq Ahmed Factoo and accord touching farewell to the outgoing Commissioner Secretary Naseem Lanker.

Naseem Lankar completed the graduation/post-graduation from the University of Kashmir and worked as Lecturer in Kashmir University, Department of English for nearly two years. She was the first Muslim lady from the state to enter the Kashmir Administrative Service in 1977 batch.

She worked in Education, Planning, Finance, Tourism, Housing and Urban Development Department, Social Welfare, Handicrafts at different levels from Under Secretary to Commissioner Secretary.

She worked as Nodal officer for the 11th Finance Commission and State Government got highest award from the 11th Finance Commission. She was the first Managing Director of Women Corporation, in fact she established Women Development Corporation.

She also worked as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and was the first lady to hold the post. Apart from attending to the public problems took keen interest in the development works. She put a long tenure in Housing and Urban Development Sector as VC SDA and Comm./Secretary Housing and Development Department.

Among others Special Secretary School Education Arif Ullah, Director School Education Gulzar Qureshi, Additional Secretary School Education R. A. Inqlabi, Director SSA Yasha Mudgal, Director RAMSA Sarmad Hafiz, and other officers and staff of School Education Department were present and lauded the remarkable services of the retiring officer.

Sanskrit Vidyarthi Parishad strike continues

The strike of J&K Sanskrit Vidyarthi Parishad continued today in support of their demands.

President of the Parishad, Neeraj Sharma, while addressing a gathering of students and scholars said the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, has ignored the students of Jammu Campus.

Neeraj further said that the campus has no facilities for students and staff and their was no permanent staff.

He further claimed that there were no Vedic, Manuscriptology, Music, Ayurvedic and Physical Departments.

He added that Vidyarthi Parishad had putforth its demands to the Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan from time to time but he deliberately ignored it.

He warned that their agitation would continue until their demands were fulfilled.

The students also burnt the effigy of Vice-Chancellor. Vinay Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Sushant Sharma, Rajesh Dogra, Vivek Pandit, Amit Kesar, Sunil Kumar, Amit Kumar, Deep Kumar, Manga Ram, Neeraj Sharma and Sandeep Khajuria were also present on the occasion.

Gandhian Studies Centre of MAM College organises workshop

The Gandhian Studies Centre of Government MAM College today organised a day long workshop on ‘Gandhian Philosophy for a peaceful world order’.

The workshop was divided into two sessions. In the first session, Prof Jai Narayan Sharma from Department of Gandhian Studies, Punjab University (Chandigarh) was the chief resource person who deliberated on the Gandhian preaching and exhorted the students to progress through peaceful methods for the national development.

Prof Ashu Pasricha from Department of Gandhian Studies, Punjab University also illuminated the students about the need to adopt Gandhian legacy for a harmonious society.

In the second session, Abbas Mokhtaria Kenavi, Masoud Charban and Kiyanoush Ghalavand from Iran were the resource persons who interacted with the volunteers of Gandhian Studies Centre.

Prof Seema Rohmetra, Assistant Professor, Law School, University of Jammu and local coordinator, Gandhi Peace Foundation in her lecture deliberated on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and stressed for the absorption of the same.

Dr Twinkle Suri, Director of the centre gave a brief profile of the centre. Prof Muzammil Hussain, Prof Subash Sharma, Prof Rama Badyal, Prof Banpreet Kour, Prof Harpreet Kour, Prof Pankaj Bandhoria and Prof Nayeem Ahmed were also present on the occasion.

After interaction, an enthralling performance of the Music Department led by Prof Kailash Mehra was also held.

Earlier, Prof (Dr) Ajeet Angral, Principal of the college impressed upon the students to follow the Gandhian principles of truth and non-violence. Prof Shalini Sharma presented the vote of thanks.

LAHDC allots 1499 kanal land to SKUAST

A meeting of Executive Councilors was held under the chairmanship of Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Rigzin Spalbar.

In the meeting, it was resolved that 1499 kanal of land will be allotted to SKUAST for the establishment of Kirshi Vigayan Kendra at Nyoma for development of agriculture and pasture land. The meeting also regularized households of Ibex Colony, Leh and 461 households of Leh area, which was the long pending case.

For construction of Degree College at Nubra Diskit, the council allotted 150 kanal of land at Diskit. The council also allotted 99 kanal of land for construction of Inter State Bus Terminal near Housing Colony, TCP.

The executive meeting gave approval for declaring holiday on 15 day of first Tibetan month and also revived the decisions taken in the last EC’s meeting.

NRSC meet held at New Delhi

The 13th National Road Safety Council (NRSC) meeting was held today at National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, Pusa Road, New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Dr C P Joshi.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers of States in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transport Ministers of all States/UTs, DGs/IGs of the police of all the states and other senior officials of various departments.

Jammu and Kashmir Minister of Transport and CAPD, Qamar Ali Akhoon, IG Traffic, Hemant Lohia and Transport Commissioner, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo were also present on the occasion.

The 6th National Road Safety Award both in individual and NGO category were also distributed among the winners by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways.

Bhumesh Sharma, the then Deputy Transport Commissioner, presently posted as Deputy Director Employment and Counselling, Poonch was presented a commendation certificate by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Dr C P Joshi and Dr Taushar A Chaudhary, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in individual category in recognition of his meritorious work on road.

SASB clarifies report on duration of yatra

Reacting to certain media reports, in regard to the duration of Amarnathji Yatra this year, the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, R. K. Goyal said that there is need to appreciate that the variation in Yatra duration from year to year is on account of Raksha Bandhan falling on different dates and, as per the ongoing tradition, the Yatra concludes on this date.

In this context, he said "that two years ago we were able to have a Yatra duration of 56 days as in that year the Raksha Bandhan fell on August 24, 2010." The next year, in 2011, Raksha Bandhan was on August 13 and, consequently the Yatra duration was reduced by 10 days, to a total of 46 days. And this year, in 2012, Raksha Bandhan falls on August 2, and the Yatra duration has been further reduced to 39 days, as it is not at all possible to prepone the commencement date because the tracks to the Shrine have heavy snow which takes time to be cleared.

The CEO stated that the Shrine Board is obligated to take into account all relevant considerations while deciding the Yatra commencement date every year as the safety and security of the yatris is the foremost responsibility of the Shrine Board. In this context, the CEO added that keeping in view the sentiments of the devotees, the Board has this year specifically decided to explore the possibility of preponement of Yatra before June 25, based on a professional assessment of the pace of snow-melt, which will be undertaken in the first week of June, 2012.

The CEO further said that in 2013 Raksha Bandhan would fall on August 21 and, consequently, the Yatra would be 19 days longer than in 2012, if the commencement date is the same in both these years. The CEO said that it is not logical to attribute the variations in the duration of the Amarnath Yatra, from year to year, to the decision making processes of the Board.

On this occasion, the CEO recalled that Shrine Board had set up a Sub-Committee chaired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, an eminent and world known person, to advise the Board regarding the duration and schedule of Shri Amarnathji Yatra. He stressed that this Sub-Committee was set up consequent to an agreement with the BABA Yatri Niyas in June, 2011. This Sub-Committee comprised eminent persons viz. Swami Avdheshanandji of Haridwar, Swami Gyaanandji of Vrindavan, Y.V. Sharma, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu, R.L. Bharti, formerly Member, J&K Public Service Commission, Prem Gupta, formerl IGP, Jammu, Dr. C.M. Raina, Asstt. Professor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Jammu and R.K. Goyal, CEO was its Member-Secretary. He said that the Sub-Committee while evolving its recommendations had held extensive consultations with various interested parties, including BABA Yatri Niyas.

91110 stray dogs in Srinagar

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Nasir Aslam Wani in reply to clubbed question of Dharam Bir Singh Oberoi and Mohammad Ashraf Mir informed the House to control the increasing population of stray dogs in Srinagar a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the Corporation with Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and Dean,F.V.Sc&A.H.(SKUAST-K).

He said the Memorandum of understanding is signed for Humane stray dog population Management, through Animal Birth Control (ABC) and their Anti-Rabies immunization within Municipal limits of Srinagar.

He said that the corporation has decided to execute a pilot project of dog sterilization/ immunization as an immediate measure to control the increasing dog menace in the city. In this connection he said a proposal for setting up of Animal Birth Control Center at Shuhama which envisages construction of concrete walling with chain link fencing around 17.5 Kanals of land, setting up of 50 Kennels and operation theater with allied facilities costing ` 103.90 lakh has been formulated. In addition to this, he said construction work has already been taken in hand for construction of 25 Kennels , fencing around the land has been completed. He said as soon as the construction work of Kennels is completed, the immunization and sterilization programme of stray dogs will be started.

Mr. Nasir said that the total number of stray dogs estimated as per census is 91110. He said the guidelines World Society for formulated the protection of Animals have been followed during the conduct of stray dogs census keeping local geo-climatic condition in view. This method has been endorsed by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and shown in its standard operating producers ( SOP), he added.

451 posts created for 22 new degree colleges

Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik in reply to a question of Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy informed the Legislative Council that the Government has sent a proposal to the Union Government for opening of Women’s Degree College at uncovered district headquarters of the State.

He said there is a pressing demand from the people all over the State for Women Degree Colleges.

Mr Malik said at present there are 95 degree colleges sanctioned in the State out of which 73 degree colleges are functional and the recently sanctioned 22 degree colleges including one degree college at Thathri and Doda district are likely to be made functional during the ensuing Academic session.

Regarding Degree College Doda, the Minister said that the infrastructure like the administrative block including library, science block, 8 lecturers halls, BCA Lab and Chowkidars hut are in place in the said college. He said that in addition to this construction of examination hall and lecture theater have been taken at an estimated cost of ` 113.50 lakh, besides the boundary wall of the college is likely to be completed during the current financial year at an estimated cost of ` 43.13 lakh.

In reply to another question by Haji Ali Mohammad Bhat, Mr Malik said that sufficient staff has been provided as per student roll requirement in Degree College Ganderbal. He said out of 11 sanctioned posts 7 are filled on regular basis and against remaining 4 posts, candidates have been engaged on academic arrangements.

He said the vacant posts of the college have been referred to the recruiting agencies and will be filled on receipt of selections.

In reply to yet another question of Ravinder Kumar Sharma, he said that 451 posts both teaching and non-teaching have been created for all the newly sanctioned 22 degree colleges of the State for making them fully functional.

Regarding status of Degree College Nowshera and Sunderbani, the Minister said that both the colleges are presently functioning in Higher Secondary School Nowshera and Govt Middle School, Sunderbani.

Mr Malik said the land measuring 99 kanals and 16 marals for Degree College at Nowshera has already been identified and funds to the tune of ` 50 lakh have been released in favour of concerned Deputy Commissioner. He said for the construction of Government Degree College, Nowshera ` 1.33 crore have been released in favour of constructing agency during current financial year while as ` 85 lakh have been approved under annual plan 2011-12 for construction of GDC Sunderbani.

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Mineral extraction has no impact on Trikuta Hills

Minister for Industries & Commerce, S.S. Slathia today clarified that extraction of minerals from the hills located around the Katra will have no impact on Trikuta Hills.

He said the project has been started after obtaining necessary clearance from the Environment Department and there would not be any impact on the Trikuta Hills and on the sanctity of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji shrine.

He said the project in question is situated at the considerable distance from the Trikuta Hills and there is hardly any impact on the entire area or environment.

The Minister was reacting on the issue raised by Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta in the House during the Zero Hour.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir informed the House that the Department has provided 17 quintals of potato seed to the farmers of Bani, but due to the late sowing, the potato crop did not yield the desired results. He clarified that the department conducted an inquiry on the request of MLA Bani and found that the quality of seed was fine but it was only due to late sowing the crop did not produce the desired result.

However, for the satisfaction of the MLA Bani, the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua has been asked to conduct a fresh inquiry with the help of SKUAST expert and submit the report at the earliest, the Minister maintained.

The Minister was reacting on the issue raised by the MLA Bani, Lal Chand.

Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Aijaz Ahmed Jan, Ashok Kumar, Krishan Chander Bhagat, Vikar Rasool raised the issue of heavy snow fall and huge loss of life and property of the people in their areas. They sought immediate relief measures for the affected people and demanded a special survey for assessing the loss for appropriate compensation.

Nazir Ahmed Gurezi demanded relaxation of rules for the students of hilly areas who are seeking admission in the higher courses. He also demanded introduction of more streams in the Degree College Gurez.

Irfan Shah called for improving drinking water facilities in his constituency. He asked for extending the benefits of Rangil WSS to his area.

Ashwani Sharma, Charanjeet Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia drew the attention of the House towards the plight of striking Safai Karamcharis and Home Guard volunteers across the State. They urged the Government to resolve their genuine grievances amicably to end the stalemate.

Harshdev Singh demanded regularization of adhoc College lecturers and other categories who fulfill the criteria.

M. Y. Tarigami alleged using force on the trade unionists peaceful protesters at Srinagar.

Er. Abdul Rashid demanded enhancement in the remuneration of Personal Assistants of the MLAs.

Mir Saifullah urged the Government to table the Bloeria Commission Report in the House. He alleged that there are flaws in the report and it should not be implemented before proper discussion.

Mohammad Sharief Niaz sought forest clearance for various road projects under PMGSY for Kishtwar expeditiously.

Ch. Mohammad Ramzan raised the issue of charging unreasonable fare by private airlines and private transporters from Srinagar to Jammu and different destinations, particularly during the bad weather. He urged the Government to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interest of common man.

Yashpal Kundal sought completion of various road projects in Samba area in a time bound manner. Indu Pawar demanded replacement of electric transformers in the Marh area to improve the power scenario. Abdul Majid Wani called for effective implementation of RGVY in erstwhile Doda to improve power scenario. Bharat Bushan demanded taking up of some road projects in his Constituency on priority.

Kafeel-ur-Rehman demanded restoration of power supply in the snow bound areas of his Constituency. G.M.Saroori demanded expeditious disposal of SRO 43 cases pertaining to Doda district. Mohammad Ashraf Ganiai also raised the issues of public importance pertaining to his constituency.

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Corruption Nepotism in Health Deptt

Excelsior today submitted a comprehensive reply to Motion of the breach of privilege moved by Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma dismissing all charges leveled by him saying it was duty of the fourth pillar of the democracy, called media, to highlight plight of the citizens of the State, who had been dying due to bad treatment, inferior quality of medicines and machinery and ill equipped medical and paramedical staff.

"Irregularities, bad services, corruption and nepotism in health sector has quite often been raised in the Assembly. Corruption and appointment of junior officials on important posts, illegal and dangerously flourishing business of unauthorized hospitals has caused a grave threat to human lives in J&K'', the reply filed by Excelsior Editor-in-Chief, S D Rohmetra before Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, said.

Following is full text of the reply:

"In response to the motion, as delivered on me for my comments, I have to submit that the bad condition of health care services in the State of Jammu and Kashmir has equally been the concern of Legislature, Judiciary as well as the fourth pillar of democracy called Media. Citizens of the State have been dying due to bad treatment, inferior quality of medicines and machinery, not adequately trained medical and paramedical staff. Many more have been suffering in terms of other related factors. Hundreds of petitions are under hearing with Judiciary, many more have been raised by honourable MLAs and MLCs in Legislature and all outlets of Media---newspapers, radio, television----have been carrying reports and stories on the deteriorating conditions every day.

Your good self has often taken irregularities and bad services, including corruption and nepotism, in health sector seriously and, quite a number of times, issued necessary direction to the Government. The number of questions and calling attention motions in Assembly on this malaise in health sector in itself is an indication how menacing proportions it has assumed over the years. In this context, state subjects have been repeatedly complaining to us that, mainly because of corruption and appointment of junior officials on senior positions, the illegal and dangerously flourishing business of unauthorized hospitals, nursing homes and clinical laboratories in the State has already caused a grave threat to the human life in J&K.

Driven by this concern, we have been carrying reports and stories on this particular subject without malice or prejudice for anybody as it is the primary responsibility of media to highlight such problems and bring same to the notice of other institutions for the purpose of necessary corrections and improvement. Wherever, an inaccuracy of facts creeps in, we have been fairly accommodating the official versions.

Now, with regard to the story pointed out by the Minister, we have to make it clear that it does not anywhere mention the name of Mr Sham Lal Sharma. Nor does it anywhere mention that Mr Sham Lal Sharma has fixed the hafta, we strongly believe, is being collected through extortion from owners and operators of these hospitals and nursing homes. We can not help if still he feels that it is "raising fingers" on him. Top corridors of power do not essentially mean the Minister in charge. As you are better aware, it comprises different strata of the system of governance.

We would further make it clear that we have nowhere infringed the privilege of any identified MLA or Minister nor reported any proceedings of the House in this report that could have been perceived as breach of privilege. Even if a legislator's or a Minister's name is mentioned in such kind of a story, which is not about the business or proceedings of Assembly, the aggrieved person has a right to come up with a rejoinder, that can be carried prominently, or else approach a court of law for defamation. The Minister in question has not taken recourse to either. Instead, he has, without any reason, substance and justification, moved this motion. We strongly reject his allegation that we have in any manner committed the breach of his privilege as MLA or Minister. Yes, it is our duty to make the executive, headed by Ministers, accountable before public through this lawful mandate. We assure you sir that we will carry on to discharge this responsibility.

We also strongly dismiss the complainant's allegation that we are in any manner blackmailing him. It is a fact that lawsuits between us are separately going on in different courts of law but we have been still accommodating his speeches and statements in the interest of our people. We believe that, instead, it is this honorable Minister who is trying to browbeat and silence this genuine and reputed organ of the fourth estate with false, frivolous and fallacious accusations. After approaching different courts, he seems to be trying his weapon by unjustifiably invoking the privilege of honorable members of the House.

With this detailed explanation, we beg to submit that the false and fabricated charge be dismissed forthwith and the complainant reprimanded for trying to silence media while taking refuge under the issue of privilege. As regards the appointment of junior officials as Directors, without the sanction of Cabinet and Establishment-cum-Selection Committee, we are continuing to document the cases, one by one, where Assistant Directors have been appointed as Directors at the peril of the services in health sector."

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Trade worth 2.13 cr on LoC

Goods worth over ` 2.13 crores were traded at Chakkan-da-Bagh at LoC point in district Poonch today.

An official spokesman said that goods like onion, bananas, herbs, `Petha', `Dhania', etc., loaded in 25 trucks, were sent to other side of the LoC today. The value of these goods was put at around ` 90.59 lakh. Only eight trucks loaded with dry dates, almonds, herbs, embroidery items, Peshawari sandals and `kinoos' came from the PoK side and the value of goods was ` 1.23 crore.

The LoC point was opened between 12.30 to 1.30 pm and then between 4.30 to 5 pm. TFO Hajeera Aslan Ahmed from PoK side and TFO Vivek Ravel from this side were deployed to facilitate the trade.

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