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| Massive infrastructural upgradation proposed under Srinagar Master Plan Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: A new Master Plan for 2000-2021 has been formulated for Srinagar city. Nearly 126 villages will be covered under the plan......more Omer
inaugurates Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: The Union Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Mr Omar Abdullah.....more Qayoom
visits Kheer Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: The Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Abdul Qayoom .....more ‘Jammu
Bar members Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, May 22: Bar Association Samba president Mr Sukhdev Singh Sambyal has alleged that striking ....more Khajuria
demands fresh Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: The MLA Jammu East constituency Mr Ashok Khajuria has demanded fresh census to be....more |
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Panchayats
being empowered in JK Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the people of Jammu and Kashmir long for peace to dawn.......more Excelsior Correspondent Katra, May 22: The pilgrims traffic to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has started picking up. On an average 20,000 to 22,000 pilgrims......more Course for
Assistant Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: Inaugurating a special course for Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Department for a comparative study of Cooperative Act........more Exports
have already shown declining trend Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: Though Government has launched a vigorous campaign to dispel the fears about the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement, the fruit growers of Kashmir valley are apprehensive that it (WTO) will worstly hit their trade by bringing the export further down to a low ebb.......more |
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Massive infrastructural upgradation
proposed Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: A new Master Plan for 2000-2021 has been formulated for Srinagar city. Nearly 126 villages will be covered under the plan thereby increasing the area of the city from 236 sq kms to 416 sq kms. These villages will be taken from Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama right from Narbal, Shalbug, Mujgund, Soibug and Wathora to Galander. Keeping in veiw the infrastructural development of the Valley, new colonies at Rakh-e-Gund, Aksha, Galander, Humhama, Narbal and Hill of Dodarhama in 30,000 kanals, accommodating 2.5 lakh people to be shifted from the core areas, would be developed. In addition, new Master Plan envisages construction of new colonies by way of privatization and through private individuals, cooperatives, Housing Board and other Urban local bodies to accommodate additional 8.5 lakh residential population. The Government is taking special measures for the development of the Srinagar city, keeping in view its fast expansion. To augment the higher education facilities, new university campus has been proposed at Nowgam. In addition, two engineering colleges, 9 new colleges, 818 new schools and 48 vocational institutions have also been planned. A proposal for two general hospitals with 500 beds each, 700 bedded intermediate hospital and 80 bedded maternity hospital have also been proposed in the Master Plan. Besides provision of polyclinics, primary health centres and dispensaries have also been made to facilitate the people. With a purpose to promote handicraft sector in the Srinagar city, five new industrial estates will be established at Machua, Ranbir Garh, Wagoora and Ompora. To make transport facilities more convenient, the road length from Galander to Narbal will be increased by 506 Kms. Besides Regional Bus Stands would also be constructed at Parimpora, Panthachowk, Soura and Nowgam. To preserve eco-system of the city, the areas around all water bodies and lakes will be reserved for plantation comprising about 10 per cent of total Master Plan area. Besides plantation, open spaces have also been envisaged around all water bodies including Boulevard to Harwan Northern foreshore road, Nageen and Naseem Bagh, across major roads in circular road project and Central Business district. The Master Plan also proposes integrated freight complex at Nowgam and petroleum storage depots at Balhama and Khunmoh. For setting up major sewerage treatment plants at Sumenderbug, Khankahibag, Aloochibag, Palpora, Mujgund, Churpora, Umerhair and Brarinambul, the master plan has been divided into nine basins. Minor treatment plants have also been proposed at Machua, Ompora, Suddan, Amdakadal, Lani, Tailbal, Habak, Wathora and Galwanpora. |
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Omer
inaugurates Suzeath, Zainakote water Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: The Union Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Mr Omar Abdullah today inaugurated water supply schemes at Old Zainakote and Suzeath in Batamaloo constituency of Srinagar district. The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Shah and Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar accompanied him. The water supply scheme Old Zainakote having a capacity of 10,000 gallons per hour has been completed at a cost of Rs 24.60 lacs. With the commissioning of the scheme the present potable water supply in the area would be augmented by 100 LPCD(liter per capita per day). The scheme would benefit a population of 4226 souls in old Zainakote and its new expansions. The water supply scheme Suzeath having a capacity of 6,000 gallons per hour has been completed at a cost of Rs 46 lacs. With the commissioning of the scheme, a service level of 45 LPCD would be achieved against the existing level of 0.10 LPCD. The scheme would benefit 3849 souls of the three villages namely Suzeath, Lawaypora and Goripora. Both these schemes have been executed under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP). Speaking on the occasion, Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar said that with the commissioning of these schemes the long pending demand of the people of the area was fulfilled. He said new tube wells are being installed in the area which has immense ground water resources. The Minister urged the people to make judicious use of water which is a precious commodity for human survival. He also stressed the need for storage of water to be used during the lien period. Among others present on the occasion were Chief Engineer PHE Kashmir, Chief Engineer, Ground Water Division, besides senior officers of the District Administration. |
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Qayoom visits Kheer Bhawani, reviews arrangements Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: The Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Abdul Qayoom today visited Kheer Bhawani and reviewed arrangements for the ensuing Mela on Jeishta Ashtami on May 30. He was accompanied by the Advisor to Chief Minister on Minority Affairs, Prof Satish Raina, Mr B L Bhat, MLC and Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Mr Vipul Pathak. He took stock of the ongoing repairs in temple complex undertaken by the concerned agencies some days back and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for the Mela. The Minister was informed by the Director Food and Supplies that adequate stocks of food grains, sugar and kerosene oil have been made for the pilgrims. The SDM, Ganderbal told the meeting that 1,000 blankets will be provided by the JKTDC for convenience of pilgrims and 30 tents are being pitched during the Mela. The Dharmarth Trust is also providing 400 blankets and some matting. A medical camp is being organized by the Medical College, Srinagar during Mela days and sufficient medicines would be made available to the needy patients. Similarly, drinking water supply and power supply has been arranged during Mela days. The Minister directed the concerned authorities that a stand by power generator be arranged for facility of pilgrims from May 27 till the Mela is over. Prof Satish Raina and Mr B L Bhat said that they have already brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah the need for renovation and repairs of the Shrine Complex. Mr Bhat announced Rs one lakh out of his Constituency Development Fund for this purpose. The Sarpanch of Tulmula who was also present in the meeting pleaded for clearance of the nallah from Khir Bhawani Shrine to Narayan-Bagh. The Minister assured that this would be looked into for appropriate action. Present on the occasion were officers of all the engineering departments, President, Minority Cell Migrant, Jammu, President, Shree Kheer Bhawani Civil Secretariat Hindu Devotee Sanstha, Mr R L Bhan and members of Civil Secretariat employees and other officers of the concerned departments. |
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‘Jammu
Bar members maligning sanctity Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, May 22: Bar Association Samba president Mr Sukhdev Singh Sambyal has alleged that striking Jammu Bar members were maligning the sanctity of temple of justice for their petty interests. Addressing members of Bar at Samba and other prominent persons of the area, Mr Sambyal termed these lawyers as ‘Pakhandi Pujaris" and said that entire public has turned against them as they are not interested in the over all welfare of the people of the state but are interested in their petty gains. He said that fast track courts are meant for providing early justice to the litigants and it will also provide justice to the people at their door-steps but the Jammu Bar members and some others are against it as they are interested to linger on the cases in the courts for years and years just to mint the money and squeeze the poor and victimised litigants. Mr Sambyal said that members of Muffasil bars at Samba, Hiranagar, Basohli, R S Pura, Bishnah, Akhnoor, Bani and other places have jointly resolved to defeat the nefarious designs of the agitating lawyers and go with the general public and win their confidence. Strong resentment is simmering among the general public and they may go for the direct action or any other strong action against the agitating lawyers. He also condemned the activities of Jammu Bar members who have launched vicious propaganda against Chief Justice of J&K High Court Dr B P Saraf. He said that Chief Justice Dr Saraf is striving hard to restore faith of the common man in the Judicial system by opening Circuit Courts in far flung areas to dispense quick justice but the Jammu lawyers have been unnecessarily creating hurdles in the implementation of said scheme. It was resolved in the meeting to hold a massive demonstration on May 24 against Jammu Bar strike in which the public representatives, Panches, Sarpanches of all the blocks of the area, social and political activists and people from all walks of life will participate to frustrate the ill conceived designs of the handful lawyers of Jammu Bar. |
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Khajuria demands fresh census in Valley Distt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: The MLA Jammu East constituency Mr Ashok Khajuria has demanded fresh census to be ordered in a particular district of Kashmir Valley which has shown a decadal growth of 38 percent in population as compared to corresponding growth in other districts of the Valley. As per a release Mr Khajuria who is vice president of Pradesh BJP made this demand while addressing party workers of Ward No 5 of the constituency. Mr Khajuria wondered that when medical experts and also others have been claiming all these years that the growth rate has considerably fallen due to prevailing conditions that included mental tension then how in a district that is bordering Pakistan and has all these years remained on boil, abnormally high growth rate in respect of population has been shown. The BJP MLA said all this indicates that census has been completed while sitting on the table and that too under some ones influence. He said there has been a systematic plan of the successive Governments more particular of National Conference that has been treating Jammu as a second fiddle and has been discriminating with it on communal lines. He said on the same lines demographic character of Jammu region was being changed, which sounds an alarming proposition and added that Jammu has been a base to fight all the forces hostile to the unity and integrity of the country and under these plans such vested interests are trying to weaken the base. Mr Khajuria appealed the workers not to get misled by the slogans of these vested interests who were trying to defame the party and the nationalist forces. He asked them to stand like a rock to foil all nefarious designs of anti-social and anti-national elements. |
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Panchayats being empowered
in JK Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 22: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the people of Jammu and Kashmir long for peace to dawn in the State but Pakistan has been sabotaging all Indian initiatives by continuing hostility and abetting violence. Interacting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Forests, currently on a weeklong tour of the state, here last evening, the Chief Minister said militancy played havoc with the State economy and consumed many lives. All the sectors received tremendous set back and infrastructure built over the years was razed to rubble, he added. Dr Abdullah said the unilateral cease-fire announced by the centre certainly brought calm on the borders but civilian killings continued unabated on the directions from across the border. Despite Pak hostilities, India surges ahead in pursuit of peace in the region, he said, hoping that wisdom will dawn on Islamabad and it will respond positively to peace initiatives. He said the situation in Kashmir is gradually improving and economic activity picking up. He hoped that those visiting the Valley would take a message across the country about the situation in this beautiful land on the earth so that more and more tourists throng here to appreciate the richness of nature’s beauty and bounty. He said the fear from the people’s mind about Kashmir needs to be erased. The Chief Minister said the State Government has approached the centre for taking up the opening of Leh route for Kailash Mansarovar with China. This will immensely help giving boost to the economy of Ladakh region. Referring to Panchayat polls in the state, the Chief Minister said the State Government is endeavouring to transfer power to elected representatives of the people at grass root level. They will be delegated with the financial powers to fix priorities of development in their areas and to monitor functioning of Government Departments in their jurisdictions. Representation to women in Panchayats, he said, will pave a way for their greater involvement in decision-making. Dr Abdullah also briefed the visiting parliamentarians about bio-diversity in the state and enumerated measures being taken for conservation of water bodies, including famous Dal Lake, and afforestation. He also briefed them about steps being taken for overall development of all the three regions of the State. The committee members led by Mr C. Ramachandran, MP enquired about the pace of development, steps being taken to combat militancy and measures underway to preserve bio-diversity in the state. Minister for Forests Peerzada G A Shah, Minister for Works Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir Prof A Wahid, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Mr M Yusuf Kamaal and senior officers of the forest department were also present on the occasion. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Katra, May 22: The pilgrims traffic to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has started picking up. On an average 20,000 to 22,000 pilgrims are daily visiting the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. During the first week of the current month, 10,000 to 12,000 pilgrims were daily reaching at the base camp, Katra for their onward journey to the holy cave shrine. During the first fortnight of the current month, about 2.41 lakh yatries have darshan of the holy cave shrine. Of them, 2.33 lakh were from outside the state. Meanwhile a total number of over 17.02 lakh devotees have paid their obeisance to the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine since January 1st todate. Whereas during the correspondence year of last year 15.64 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine. Thereby pilgrimage has registered an increase of over 1.38 lakh this year so far. With the continue influx of pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine throughout the year, the hotel industry at Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage has made a big highway, several posh hotels and number of guest houses have come up recent year. Besides this, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, J&K Tourism Development Corporation and Dharamshallas run by various organizations are providing comfortable and less costly accommodation to the pilgrims. |
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Course for Assistant Registrar of Coop Dept held Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: Inaugurating a special course for Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Department for a comparative study of Cooperative Act of 1989 and Self Reliant Cooperative Act 1999 organised by the Centre for Cooperative Management Jammu. According to a press release, Mr Mohammed Ayub Khan, president of the J&K Cooperative Union observed that after the enforcement of J&K Self Reliant Cooperative Act of 1999, inadvertently of advertently an impression is gaining ground that the role of the cooperative department has come to an end. While the Department had unlimited powers under the erstwhile Cooperative Act of 1960, the Cooperative Act of 1989 has considerably restricted the powers of the Registrar in order to enable cooperatives to exercise their democratic powers with considerable freedom. The amended law of 1989 also was brought into force after a lot efforts but the Cooperative Law of 1999 which is enacted with a view to revamp the cooperative movement completely on democratic lines is a big land mark in the history of cooperative movement. The role of the department, Mr Khan added, has not come to an end but it has certainly assumed a new dimension. Societies under the new act of 1999 cannot function unless all the members concerned with the movement are fully aware of their rights and obligations. Mr Varinder Mangotra, Principal Centre for Cooperative Management, Mr Kuldeep Singh, Mr B R Dogra, Mr S K Sharma and Mr Ranjeet Singh. |
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Exports have already
shown declining trend Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: Though Government has launched a vigorous campaign to dispel the fears about the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement, the fruit growers of Kashmir valley are apprehensive that it (WTO) will worstly hit their trade by bringing the export further down to a low ebb. As the export of the fruit has considerably decreased since India became signatory to General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1996, the fruit growers fair that this will come further down in coming years as they lack basic facilities which are being enjoyed by their counterparts in developed countries. The fruit growers while seeking the personnel intervention of Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah have urged them to take the matter in their hands to save the industry from the devastation. Fearing worst the Kashmiri Fruit Growers and Dealers Association alleged that the WTO is a tool in the hands of advanced countries and by virtue of tariff and non tariff barriers it will restrict our exports. The exports have shown declining trend since the GATT came into being in 1996. This is a cause of worry for the fruit growers of Kashmir, said Mr Ghulam Rasool Bhat chairman of the Association, adding if adequate measures were not taken by the Government the fruit industry in Kashmir will totally perish. There are growing apprehensions that the world famous Kashmiri apple which contains plenty of minerals and Vitamins will vanish if steps were not taken to save it by the Government, he said. Mr Bhat said with the implementation of the WTO agreement and removal of quota system on 715 items from March this year we have to compete with the developed countries like USA, Japan, Newzealand and Australia. He while making a strong argument that how the Valley fruit can compete with that produced in these nations where the growers have latest technology like cold chains, cold storage , refrigerators, vans and chemicals of standard quality He said, on walnut and fresh fruit production these nations pay one lakh subsidy to grower for producing fruit. Besides 60 to 80 percent A Grade fruit is produced in these countries while the quantity is far less in our country. Moreover, he said unlike our country the remaining fruit is processed for making of juice and jam which too is exported. He said over the years no efforts have been made to set up the juice and jam plants in the J&K State though the Association has made repeated pleas to Government from time to time in this regard. At present we are having only two juice plants one is at Rangreth in Badgam District and another is at Dubgah Sopore, he added. The another main problem which was assigned as a reason to hit the Kashmiri fruit by Mr Piaray Lal Piaray one of the fruit growers from the state is that in developed countries the fruit growers get standard fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides for spray to control disease. In comparison to it "we get substandard quality and adulterated inputs", he added. He while making a dig at the Government said the policy planners have not analysed topographies of fruit cultivating states in India particularly Kashmiri and Himachal Pradesh. In order to give an impetus to the fruit industry of the State the Government should increase the import duty to 300 per cent instead of 35 to 50 per cent. "If this is not done our internal market will be affected totally," he added. Moreover, in developed countries 60 to 80 mts of fruit are grown per hectare while in J&K which has small and marginal farmers per hectare yield is from 10 to 12 per cent. It is the duty of the Government to protect the industry from vanishing, said Mr Abdul Ahad a leading fruit merchant from Sopore. "If they will not come with concrete proposals the industry will vanish some day and the 60 per cent people who are associated with it directly or indirectly will become idle", he added. Mr Ahad was of the opinion that the Government in order to compete in the international market should come with adequate proposals for publicity to apprise people what kind of minerals and vitamins the Kashmiri fruit contain. Besides the Government should remove octroi and Toll Tax on fruit, he added. |
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Traffic cops challan, 732
vehicles for violation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: In a special drive launched today, Traffic police booked/ challaned 732 vehicles for different offences and realised fine to the tune of Rs 52,300 on the spot from the defaulters. According to an official handout, during this drive four tractors, three buses, two tippers, two Tata Sumos, two trucks and two scooters were also seized by traffic cops. The main targets during the drive were the commercial vehicles especially Matadors/ mini-buses plying in the rural as well as semi-urban and urban areas. Over 250 mini-buses were challaned for over-loading, 35 Matadors and 16 trucks were found emitting excessive smoke. In rural areas fifty buses were challaned for over-loading. Tape recorders of several vehicles were also seized during the drive. The highest number of 233 scootrists were challaned for not bearing crash helmets. A fine to the tune of Rs 52,300 was recovered on the spot from the violators/ defaulters. The cops also challaned fifty trucks/ tippers for violating different provisions of Motor Vehicle Act. Meanwhile, Traffic police has denied the allegations of collection of ‘Hafta’ from the mini-bus/ bus operators and also increasing over-loading in public transport. In a handout issued here today from the office of SP Traffic Jammu, a spokesman of the Department termed the allegations of over-loading in buses and mini-buses as malacious propaganda against Traffic cops. Refuting the news item published in the columns of this Daily on May 20 with heading—Over loading in buses whose fault, SP’s spokesman said that correspondent has tried to dicourage Traffic cops who are functioning affectively despite intense pressure of managing a large number ofvehicles. He claimed that not only this, the allegations of collection of ‘entry/ hafta’ from the commercial vehicles by Traffic cops on the roads is also totally baseless, false and malacious campaign. Now, it is up to the transporters, operators/ drivers and the general public to observe who is the big lier or ‘Satyavadi’— newspaper reporter or the Traffic police. |
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Two women, two youths held Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: Nowabad police arrested two married women and two youths involved in flesh trade racket from hotel Indira in Jewel Chowk area this afternoon. Manager of the hotel has also been arrested on the charges of felicitating the racket. Police said they had a tip off that management of Indira hotel was allowing their rooms to be used for running illegal sex trade. At 12 noon today, a police party headed by Sub Inspector Basanti raided the hotel alongwith a strong pose of cops. Two women were arrested with two persons in compromising position from two separate Room Nos 110 and 112 of the hotel. Arrested flesh trade racketeers have been identified as Rita, 26, wife of Sudesh Kumar, a resident of Sarwal Colony, Shashi Kumar son of Raj Kumar R/o of Vijay Nagar in Bohri Talab Tillo, Chander Rekha, 30 wife of Ratish R/o Indraprasth, New Delhi and Ishpal Singh son of Raj Singh R/o Shahpur, Himachal Pardesh. Police said Rita was caught in compromising position with Shashi Kumar while Chander Rekha and Ishpal Singh were taking a bath in totally nude condition in bath-room of their hotel room when police party simultaneously raided their rooms. All of them were taken into custody. Hotel Manager Bishan Dass Sharma son of Ganesh Dass Sharma R/o Mehra Mandrian has also been arrested. However, police didn’t arrest the hotel owner under pressure. Police said Chander Rekha had left New Delhi on April 22 and was since then working as a prostitute in the hotel. Her husband Ratish was a constable with Delhi Police. According to police Shashi Kumar was running a vegetable shop in Sarwal and was a tenant of Rita’s husband Sudesh Kumar. Reportedly, they had developed a love affair. Rita was running a beauty parlour in Sarwal. In the hotel register, Rita and Shashi Kumar had registered themselves as a couple from Jalandhar. Register and other record of the hotel has also been seized by police. A case against the accused has been registered at Nowabad police station for further investigations. |
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Shamesher
Singh wins Coca Cola Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 22: Mr Shamsher Singh has won the Coca Cola Chappar Phaad Ke crown prize today. As per the scheme, the consumer will get prize written under the crown. And if the consumer gets Shagun Crown too the prize money will be doubled. Mr Shamsher Singh of Raja Vaishno Hotel, Raghunath Nagar, Chandma in Hiranagar tehsil got crown of one lakh and also double money under Shagun Crown. The cheque of the money will be given to Mr Shamesher shortly by the Coca Cola company. Mr Ajay Khajuria, Marketing Executive of the Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Private Limited informed that a number of persons have received many prizes under this scheme. |
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