Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb Ahmad Drabu alongwith others releasing books at Srinagar on Tuesday.
SRINAGAR, Mar 31: Minister for Finance, Culture and Employment, Dr. Haseeb Ahmad Drabu today urged all the stakeholders to defend their ethnicity and culture.
The Minister was speaking on the inaugural function of 3-day International Conference on ”Literary Legacy of Indo-Central Asia, Afghanistan and Iran” held at University of Kashmir in collaboration with Bedil International Foundation, New Delhi.
The Minister for Finance, Dr. Haseeb Ahmad Drabu was the chief guest while as Ambassador of Turkmenistan in India, Parakhat H. Durdyev was guest of honour.
Dr. Drabu said that Kashmir has a rich and fascinating cultural heritage which needs to be revived and promoted for posterity. He underlined the need for saving the losses occurring to culture and language by regular modernization and other allied things.
The Minister said that Central Asian countries including Azarbaijan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan subsumed their rich cultural ethos. He said that since Kashmir and Central Asian countries share many cultural similarities and both need to make joint effort to preserve and promote their rich cultural heritage. He called for encouraging people to people contact between these countries to exchange the richness of culture and language.
Dr. Drabu lamented the loss of ethnic and cultural moorings of Kashmiris who are losing a bit of their culture every day by being driven by hunger for modernizing their everyday life. He said that we are fast losing our language and culture which is our identity as an ethnic group and great nations never sacrifice their culture at the altar of trends.
The function was attended by various renowned dignitaries of neighbouring countries and other states of the country, besides a galaxy of scholars, social scientists and intellectuals.
The welcome address was delivered by Director of Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS), Prof. G. N. Khaki, while key note address was delivered by former Vice Chancellor Az-Zahra University, Iran, Prof. Hakimeh Dabiran besides Presidential remarks were given by Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Wani and special address were given by Director Academy Sciences, Tajikistan, Prof. Mirzo Mulloahmad and Chairman Bedil International Foundation, New Delhi, Mr. Mohammad Shafi Pandit.
Later, the Minister released four books regarding Central Asian Studies.
BAGDOGRA (WB), Mar 31:
The Centre today said the flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir so far is not as grave as last year but authorities are on alert to deal with any situation.
“Situation is not as grave as last time. But we are fully alert and if required we will send more assistance,” Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.
The Home Minister yesterday had a telephonic conversation with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who gave him a detailed briefing about the flood situation in the State.
“We have our Government there now.They are doing their best. But as of now situation is under control,” he said. (PTI)
Deputy Commissioner, Sushma Chauhan interacting with officials on Tuesday.
Reasi, Mar 31: With the start of new financial year, Reasi district administration set up a cell to monitor the working of departments on daily basis. First of its kind, cell has been established at Mini Secretariat Reasi under the direct supervision of Deputy Commissioner Reasi-Sushma Chouhan.
The monitoring at every level is imperative to provide best services to the people, said DC. Reiterating that it is always the priority of the administration to ensure progress and better services to the people, she said that in order to facilitate the smooth functioning of various departments, it is important that the work is completed in a time bound manner.
She added that the rationale behind setting up of control room is to strengthen the monitoring capabilities at the district and sub-district levels and the focus will be on collecting, analyzing, updating and maintaining the databases about various departments on daily basis.
The control cell would have connectivity with phone, fax, email etc and would work under the direct supervision of the DDC.
The control room will seek daily report from the concerned department head of district telephonically on detailed Performa and will submit it to Deputy Commissioner on same day. With the help of all relevant data such as availability of ration, presence of staff, progress on under construction roads, damaged transformers/HT LT lines etc, and all information will be available with Deputy Commissioner on daily basis and thus will position administration to respond to day today challenges in efficient and time bound manner.
Beside this the control room will also monitor the implementation of various flag ship schemes which are undertaken in the district from time to time by departments added DC.
DC said that this will also help heads of the concerned departments to personally monitor functioning of various ongoing schemes and activities of the field functionaries on daily basis for smooth functioning of the system.
JAMMU, Mar 31: Minister for Health and Medical Education Ch Lal Singh today said that regularization of the staff appointed under National Health Mission is the subject matter of the Central Government.
While replying to a question of PDP member Surinder Choudhary in the Upper House today, the Health Minister said that 6815 persons have been engaged on contractual basis under National Health Mission including doctors, paramedics and staff for the programme management units. In addition to this, 11686 ASHA workers have been selected so far in the rural areas of the State. He said since the NHM is the subject matter of Centre therefore State has nothing to do with it. He said the State can only recommend to the Centre to regularize all of them.
Replying to another question, the Minister said in Nowshera constituency 13 doctors, 61 paramedics and 137 ASHA workers have been engaged. He said an amount of Rs 5.19 crore has been released to Nowshera constituency under National Health Mission (NHM) during 2013-14 and 2014-15 (ending Feb), out of which Rs 29.85 lakh has been disbursed as incentives to ASHA workers of this constituency.
The Minister further said that in order to popularize schemes and components of NHM various steps have been taken up including regular awareness generation through print and electronic media, organization of ‘Sammelans’ at district and block level, organization of rallies and debates in schools and colleges, orientation workshops like one day orientation workshop organized during 2010-11 for the legislators and hoardings have also been displayed in Health Institutions depicting various components/schemes under the Mission.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Ch Lal Singh informed the House that 826 new Sub-Centers under NRHM and 371 existing sub Sub-Centers have been upgraded to the level of NTPHC in the State during the current year. He said no such proposal for creation of new health institutions during the next fiscal is under consideration with the department.
Replying to the supplementaries of Vibod Gupta, Inayat Ali and Firdous Tak, the Minister said he will look into the cases where health sub centres have been sanctioned under political considerations. If need he may go for the review. He also gave assurance to upgrade two sub centres in Kargil.
Regarding over staying Registrars in GMC Jammu, the Minister said he has already launched massive exercise to shift all the over staying doctors. They will have to go outside and serve the rural masses as many posts are vacant in remote and rural areas. “I know many of them go to the courts and bring stay but I have made that arrangement also,” the Minister added.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 31: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ranjeet Singh Chib seeking check on illegal conversion of world famous Basmati rice growing land into concrete jungle in Sub Division RS Pura, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat today granted eight weeks time for filling status report.
On the directions of Division Bench, Additional DC Jammu and SDM RS Pura were present in person present.
AAG HA Siddiqui appearing for the respondents submitted that notices have been issued to 175 persons for initiating action in terms of Section 13 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976. He further submitted that Section 13 contemplates certain procedures to be followed before orders are passed and sought time to complete the process.
JAMMU, Mar 31: National Conference MLA Devender Singh Rana today targeted the BJP Ministers in the Government saying they should awake their conscious and get the decision of setting up of Toll Plaza at Ban Talab on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway reversed.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Assembly, Rana wondered why the BJP Ministers were silent on Toll Plaza.
“The BJP had created massive uproar in the State when some tax was imposed on Amarnath yatris. Now when, all Mata Vaishno Devi ji pilgrims and other people had to pay toll at Ban Talab, the BJP is silent only because their MLAs have become Ministers in the Government,” he said and called upon the BJP MLAs to awake their conscious and oppose the Toll Plaza.
Moreover, Rana said, the Toll Plaza has been set up for Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which has not been completed so far. The work has been completed only up to Udhampur, he added.
The NC MLA from Nagrota said the people travelling to Doda, Udhampur, Ramban, Banihal, Patnitop etc were also being charged Toll at Ban Talab while it was meant for Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Demanding that Toll Plaza should be abolished immediately, Rana said even the local people travelling from Jammu and returning were also being charged toll.
However, there was no response from the Government on the charges of Rana.
JAMMU, Mar 31: Government has directed the Hyderabad-based M/s Nagarjuna Constructions to start work on Patnitop Gandola at the earliest.
This information was provided by the Minister Incharge Tourism in response to the question of BJP MLA, Dina Nath Bhagat in the Legislative Assembly. “The company has been asked to start the work in the light of clearance obtained from the State Forest Advisory Committee”, the Minister said, adding “a team of the company is visiting J&K in the coming weeks”.
The project was conceived and approved in 2004.
As if the havoc caused by September 2014 flood was not enough, the nature has once again turned fierce and ferocious on the people of the State. Incessant rains for 36 continuous hours and fresh snow on the higher reaches all combined to wreck havoc with the valley. Waters of the Jhelum rose to alarming level, nearly 18 feet above the normal level sending down shock waves to people residing in low-lying areas of Srinagar city, which saw worse type of disaster in September floods.
Tragedy befell a homestead in remote village named Laden in Budgam district where a huge mudslide came hurtling down from the hill. It crushed and swept away the shelter of unlucky Ghulam Nabi Hajjam at about later part of the night. Thirteen people of the family including one child and three others were trapped and buried alive under mudslide. Rescue operations conducted by the police and rescue teams besides the local inhabitant could pull out only nine dead bodies until reports came in last. When water crossed the danger mark, authorities sounded flood alarm and advised people to withdraw to safer places and not take any risk. Many villages in the valley are inundated and communication cut off. Schools are closed down for 4 days and all precautionary measures to meet the situation are in place.
After talking to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi about the flood situation in the valley, Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed flew straight to Srinagar to take stock of situation and arrangements underway to meet the challenge. On return to Jammu, he issued a suo moto statement in the Assembly and appraised the house of current flood situation and rescue arrangements made by his Government. He said that there was slight relent in rains and during past several hours the Jhelum waters had shown a trend of coming down from the level that was at Sunday midnight. According to reports, it was receding at the rate of 11 inches per hour.
Regular reports indicate that the Government had moved in time to remain alive to the impending dangers. The Police mounted night vigil to monitor the rising waters and at the same time kept ready, all rescue paraphernalia boats, tubes, motor launches, ropes etc. Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has ordered evacuation of people from low-lying areas that are threatened by floodwaters.
Thanks to the agile Government in the State, it took full precautionary measures to meet the threat before hand. Chief Minister talked with the Union Home Minister who assured him of all possible help to overcome the difficult situation. Eight National Disaster Response Force teams have already arrived in Srinagar and more teams are expected any moment. Airlifting of essential commodities had already begun and the Prime Minister had ordered 200 crore rupees from his relief fund for meeting the requirement of the State. The State itself has released 25 crore rupees for Kashmir and 10 crore rupees for Jammu from its State Disaster Management organization. This money is at the disposal of Divisional Commissioner who has ordered the Revenue and Police authorities to identify the families that have suffered in terms of either human lives or livestock and houses or structures. Entire police force in the valley is geared up to the situation and it is keeping close watch on the situation. It is highly commendable that dewatering of places in the city where rainwater has accumulated has been done notwithstanding the pouring rains and this is a timely step which should be appreciated. If weather conditions improve, there is possibility of water in the river receding rapidly. Special control rooms have been established which are coordinating information and rescue operations. About 320 families have been evacuated to safer places and they are provided temporary shelter and necessaries for life. In the meantime, Police rescued 728 people from different parts of Kashmir who had been trapped in floods. According to a rough estimate 200 structures including 176 residential houses, have developed cracks owing to land slipping underneath in Shopian district of South Kashmir.
Jammu was faced with mid-day darkness owing to overcastting dark black clouds, which hurled down rain and hailstorm. Traffic on Jammu- Samba track remained disrupted for some time and internal city traffic came to a temporary halt.
This is the second time in six months that the State is face to face with floods. This calls for long-term strategy of meeting new challenge. Deforestation of Jammu and Kashmir region is one of the important causes of landslide and flash floods. Government shall have to take note of the threat and pay its attention to planting lakhs of new saplings and nurturing them on hills that are close to the National Highway or where there is habitation. Evacuation of encroachments made on the banks of rivers and nullahs has to be done on war footing. Raising and strengthening the bunds of two major rivers in Kashmir, namely Jhelum and Sindh, and 2 more in Jammu, namely Tawi and Chenab, is a huge task and must be undertaken speedily. The Housing Department should strictly enforce the policy of not allowing residential structures to be raised on low-lying lands that are prone to floods. Early warning system of floods and other natural calamities has to be streamlined. And above all, disaster management agencies, Police, village Panchayats and administrative functionaries all have to be activated so that they have a clear roadmap what is to be done in a situation of disaster especially floods and earthquakes. We have the State Disaster Management Authority but it is toothless. The infrastructure needs to be improved and made effective so that any calamity can be addressed.
In fact, the State Government should not remain content with the Flood Control Department. A master plan has to be produced which takes flood situation in the valley into account for controlling. It has to be a long-term policy. Existing Flood Control Department is the agency that has been engaged in drudging the river for de-silting purposes. However, in reality the task of controlling floods in the State is a task for which a comprehensive agency shall have to be created. Therefore, we suggest creation of study and control agency of floods in J&K.
NEW DELHI, Mar 31:
Assuring support to flood-hit farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre today asked the State Government to utilise Rs 209 crore available under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) to compensate them from any crop loss.
“Due to excessive rains in Jammu and Kashmir over past 2-3 days, a flood like situation has developed in many parts of the state.
“The Central Government has assured the State Government to make available all possible help,” the Union Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
The State Government has an amount of Rs 209.70 crore available under SDRF as on February 13, 2015, it said.
“Out of this amount, the State Government can disburse input subsidy to farmers in respect of crops which have suffered more than 50 per cent losses,” it added.
Officials of Agriculture Department are in constant touch with the State Government, it said.
“As soon as flood waters recede, the Central Government officials will assess the losses,” it added.
Rice, wheat, maize, pulses, barley and fruits like apple and cherry, among other crops, are grown in the State. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 31: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances,Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh personally called on the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and requested him for increasing the number of coaches in the Jammu-Rishikesh Hemkunt Express. He also submitted a written representation to the Railway Minister.
The Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu promptly responded to the request and summoned the concerned railway officers and Railway Board Members whom he instructed to follow up the issue on priority.
In response to the constraint expressed by the railway authorities that the Railway station at Rishikesh has the capacity of accommodating only 15 coaches, Dr Jitendra Singh suggested to the railway authorities to work out the feasibility of carrying additional 9 to 10 coaches between Jammu and Haridwar and then dissociate the same at the Haridwar Railway Station so that further length of the train is reduced to 15 coaches only.
The railway authorities said that out of concern for safety, they were discouraging the attachment of additional “Slip Coaches” and therefore, they will consider this option but at the same time also consider the option of increasing the capacity of passengers in the existing coaches.
Dr Jitendra Singh said , Hemkunt Express caters mostly to the family members carrying last mortal remains of their diseased ones for immersion in the holy Ganges and therefore, a huge amount of faith and holy sentiment is attached with this train.
He reiterated the earlier request made by him for running extra DMUs between Udhampur and Jammu in order to accommodate the increasing number of passengers from Udhampur as well as those who are unable to find room in Jammu bound trains originating from the recently set up Katra Railway Station.
Upgradation of the Kathua Railway Station and railway link to Basohli- Billawar were the other issues which came up during the meeting between the two Ministers. Dr Jitendra Singh explained to Prabhu that Basohli -Billawar were located at a reasonably short distance from the Pathankot-Jammu rail line and therefore, it should not be difficult to include this area on the rail map of India.
