Sir,
This has reference to the news item ‘Centre yet to fix timeframe for creation of separate Railway Division for in Jammu’ DE July 29.
The creation of separate Railway Division is a long pending demand of Jammuites. But one does not know why this demand has been ignored by the previous UPA Government, and now by the NDA.
Creation of separate Division is not only going to benefit Jammu alone, but the Railway Department itself. Jammu is emerging a key Railway Centre after rail network is being expanded from Katra to Kashmir. The Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda must look at the case afresh and start working modalities for a separate division. Hope, the Jammuites are not let down by new dispensation at the Centre.
Yours etc…
Vipul Verma
Jammu
Separate Railway Division
UPSC row
Sir,
The NDA Government must resolve the UPSC row at the earliest and to the satisfaction of agitating students. It is quite distressing to see our future civil servants on the agitational path.
The delay on the part of the Government could only worsen the situation and put the future of various candidates at State.
The agitation may hinder their preparation for the forthcoming examination and it would be a great setback to their career in case they fail to qualify the examination due to agitation.
Though Government has assured the nation that the issue will resolved within a week, it should live by its promise.
Yours etc….
Navin Jasrotia
Jammu
Open more fee counters
Sir,
This is to bring in the notice of the Jammu University authorities that students who have to submit examination and re-evaluation forms with fee face lot of hardship on account of insufficient number of counters. As a result students are jostling with each other to get access to counter to submit their forms. Though separate counters for girls and boys have been set up on one can see students sweating profusely in hot and humid conditions. It is quite terrible for girl students to wait hours together in such conditions. Students who come from far off places are the worst sufferers.
It is quite disgusting that the University authorities could not live the promise of opening of additional cash counters to ease the process of submission of forms.
The university must without delay open more counters to enable students submit forms easily.
Yours etc….
Nisha Sharma
Jammu
Diarrhoea control
Sir,
This has reference to the ‘Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight’ launched by National Health Mission, Jammu and Kashmir.
It is heartening that the Health Department is quite aware of water borne diseases like diarrhoea which take an ugly turn during monsoons when people get contaminated water. The precautionary measures as are advocated to contain this disease are not sufficient in themselves. In rural areas it has been found that people do not have access to potable water. They still depend on old sources of water like ponds and bowlies. This water often contains impurities-suspended or dissolved as it does not receive any treatment at any filtration plant. The water so supplied is responsible for water borne diseases like diarrhoea.To prevent such diseases, it is necessary that the Government works earnestly in providing potable water to people at door steps.
Our elected representatives should ensure that people in their constituencies have access to potable water.
Yours etc….
Pawan Sharma
Purmandal
Should India talk to Civilian Government in Pakistan
Brig Anil Gupta
Mian Nawaz Sharif heads a duly elected civilian Government in Pakistan. It was for the first time in the history of Pakistan that the power was transferred directly between the elected Governments. The newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister is trying to flex his muscles to regain total control of the country’s affairs. Despite a hue and cry back home he decided to visit New Delhi to be present during the swearing in ceremony of the new Indian Prime Minister NarendraModi. Some analysts in India considered it as declining influence of the Pakistan Army in the civil-military equation in Pakistan. The relationship between the military and the elected Government in Pakistan has always been very delicate and tenuous. The United States as a matter of policy continues to deal with Pakistan’s military leaders despite the fact that the military handed over power to the civilian Government six years ago.
Since the revival of democracy in 2008 the relationship between the military and the elected Governments has been characterised by mutual distrust. Despite the end of military rule, the Army in Pakistan continues to control the levers of security and foreign policies. The type of relationship with India is determined solely by the military. According to a popular Pakistani joke, “all countries have armies, but here, an army has a country.” The Pakistan Army is an authority unto itself and is unwilling to accept the civilian supremacy. Only deviation from the past has been to shift its emphasis from ‘overt’ rule to an invisible ‘ruler’. Stephen Cohen in his book ‘The Future of Pakistan’ states, “The fear of India drives the Pakistan Army and the Army drives Pakistan.”
After the retirement of General Kayani, Mian Nawaz Sharif appointed his name sake General Raheel Sharif as the new Chief of Army Staff after superseding two other generals. People thought that Nawaz Sharif was trying to display his hold over the Army. But soon the relations between the two Sharifs turned bitter. Nawaz Sharif was keen to extend an olive branch to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) while the army was in favour of military solution to the problem. Despite repeated failure of the peace talks and growing defiance of TTP, the Government did not yield to the army’s advice. Till one day when General Sharif thumped the desk and said enough is enough. It is reported that Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief GeneralRaheel Sharif met the Prime Minister and told him that ” the time for talks with the Taliban was over.” Pakistan’s Interior Ministry issued a clarification quoting the Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, ” there was no decision to call off the dialogue process, nor was any such demand made.” Just two days later Pakistan forces launched rare air strikes against terrorists residing in North Waziristan and announced the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. This put the military firmly back at the centre-stage of Pakistan’s security policy much against the wishes of the elected Government.
The other bone of contention that has surfaced in the public domain is the trial of former dictator Pervez Musharraf. The army was reportedly upset about the manner in which Musharraf trial was being used to demean the image of the army and public humiliation of the former Chief. It was conveyed candidly by General Sharif to the Prime Minister and the civilian Government but the ministers continued with their ‘army bashing’ rhetoric and did not pay heed to the army’s reservations. The Army Chief then decided to go public and in a hard hitting speech at Ghazi Base while addressing an elite commando unit (the unit commanded by Musharraf) he warned the civilian Government, “Pakistan Army upholds the sanctity of all institutions and will resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.” This was contrary to the civilian Government’s claim of army and the Government being “on the same page” on security and foreign policy issues. Will the army have the last laugh in determining the fate of the former dictator? The indications are positive and despite the reservations of the Nawaz Government the issue would be settled on the army’s terms.
The population on both sides of the border is emotionally attached to the issue of Indo-Pak relations. While the moderators pray and hope that with new Governments in place in both the countries things may change for the better and could usher an era of good relations between the two neighbours, the hard liners continue to stick to their old positions. Pakistan’s India policy is undoubtedly scripted by the all- powerful Pakistan Army. Christine Fair, author of “Fighting to the End,” a book on the Pakistani Army’s strategic culture says “The Pakistan military doesn’t have to run the country to have its preferred policy operationalised.” The Pakistan Army is obsessed with its anti-India policy and perceives no deviation from it. Repeated attempts by the civilian Governments in Pakistan to resolve issues bilaterally have met stiff resistance from the army. The army’s strategy is simple, if they can’t restraint their own head of the Government then carry out such an act that forces India to unilaterally withdraw from the negotiations. The Pakistan army abhors Shimla Agreement and its core policy of ‘bilateralism.’ In order to thwart the Vajpayee – Nawaz Lahore initiative, Pakistan Army masterminded Kargil conflict. When Zardari was trying to extend the hand of friendship, the Pak Army rolled the most heinous terror attack in Mumbai on 26 November 2008.
One wonders that even now when the Pakistan Army has its hands full in North Waziristan and in internal security duties why does it continue to repeatedly violate the ceasefire on the line of control (LC) and international border (IB) to which Pakistan interestingly refers as ‘working boundary’? Apart from the reasons of supporting infiltration and pushing in terrorists, the reason most people fail to realise is to keep the public and Government reminded of the fact that their enemy No. 1 is India. The very basis of existence of Pakistan army is anti-India policy. According to Hussain Haqqani, a former ambassador of Pakistan to US, “Pakistan Army still has to embrace the concept that an army exists primarily to face enemies in the battlefield, but the decision of who the enemy is should be taken by civilian leaders.”
India has decided to send her foreign secretary to Islamabad on 25th August for talks with her Pakistani counterpart. It is sanguine that the both would be discussing the issues of cross-border terrorism, ceasefire violations and Pak sponsored proxy war. As I have tried to bring out that in matters of foreign policy, Indo-Pak relations in particular, and security policy the civilian Government generally plays second fiddle to the army. With this background will the talks serve any purpose? Would they yield any results without the nod of Pakistan army. There can be no hope from the Government that does not have the reins in its hands. The talks are doomed and likely to fail. One was expecting that the new Government in New Delhi would refrain from the antiquated Pak policy of the previous Governments and come out with an ‘out of the box’ approach. Alas! It has happened. The wisdom lies in learning quickly from the mistakes and resorting to mid- course corrections. Time has come for us to learn from the Americans and have direct talks with military authorities in Pakistan. A detailed plan needs to be formulated. Beginning must be made with increased military to military contact. The DGMO level meet held recently should not be a one-time affair but converted into a regular feature. Meetings at different levels over a period of time should culminate in a one to one meet between the Chiefs of the two armies. As long as the military continues to be the sole architect of foreign and security policies, talks with the civilian Government would yield no results and no headway can be made. Time has come for India to actively pursue military diplomacy.
(The author is presently a political commentator, security and strategic analyst. The views expressed in this article are entirely personal.)
Modernising Indian systems of Medicine
Pragya Mahajan
This has reference to Rajesh Dhar’s write-up ‘ Administrative anarchy puts ISM in Shambles (DE , July 28,2014) ‘.Your paper has been highlighting these problems in one or the other form since long and now when the attention of Minister for Health & Medical Education has been drawn by your correspondent to the ‘ decades old ‘ problems of ISM department , he in the typical Ministerial style has responded that the ‘ chronic problems will need time to rectify’ and at the same time has stated that ‘efforts are being made to sort out the problems at an earliest to help the department run smoothly’ . Whatever may be the meaning of ‘ at an earliest ‘ in Hon’ble Minister’s dictionary as if six years was not adequate time to make a beginning to check this anarchy and prevent the department from going to shambles , at least he has admitted that the department is not running smoothly and despite all the claims of efficiency and good governance by the present Government , the truth is that this ancient system of Medicine is a victim of neglect and apathy of the Government at its worst.
We all know that there has been enormous development in the field of Medical Science in the past few decades . The knowledge about the human body and various causative factors responsible for the spread of disease has been recognised . New diagnostic techniques and new chemicals to be used as medicines are flooding the health market everyday. More and more hospitals are being opened in the private sector and highly qualified doctors with vast knowledge are working there as well as in the Government hospitals. Lot of money is being invested in research to develop medicines for the diseases which don’t yield to drugs developed so far. There are wonder drugs and equipments in the modern medical science to save the precious lives of those who can afford its cost . The same was not possible some years back.Despite all these advancements , still we find that people by and large are not healthy . Every single person is suffering from one or the other disease , be it gas problems , allergy , joint pains , anxiety,tension,insomnia,blood pressure , sugar and so on and so forth . In fact, there are no short cuts to health and like wealth , health has also to be earned by following the principles of Health as given by ancient seers through Ayurveda , the science of health and longevity and not merely a system of medicine . It stresses daily regimen (Dincharya),Ritucharya (Seasonal regimen) and Sadvrit (Good-conduct). Modern medicine doctors have little or no time to brief the patients about the serious side effects of the drugs being used indiscriminately to control various symptoms of the diseases rather to cure them radically. Serious side effects of the drugs used is the basic reason for the present state of affairs and numerous health problems of the population. Still we can’t ignore millions of lives saved by advancement in modern surgery and their achievements in other fields like eradication of small-pox,polio and prevention of rabies and other killer diseases through vaccination .
The need of the hour is to integrate the best of both the modern and ancient systems of Medicine to benefit the patient as China has done by teaching Chinese medicine to doctors of modern medicine and vice versa . This will also preserve and promote those health traditions which are still relevant in modern times and can help prevent serious side effects associated with modern drugs.It is high time that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir take initiative in this direction and promote integration of both the systems in the interest of patient care and better health delivery system through Modern medicine and Ayush. For this it will have to radically change its policy of discrimination and step motherly treatment towards ISM in general and Ayurved in particular and take all the necessary steps for promoting them.
The author is Secretary, Ayurved and Holistic Health Awareness Society (AYUHAS) Jammu & Kashmir,Jammu
UPSC language Row A crucial test for Modi Government
Amit Kushari IAS Retd
The agitation by IAS aspirants against the UPSC for giving importance to the English language vis a vis Hindi is an issue of great importance which has the potential to shake the foundations of India’s nationhood if not tackled in a deft tactful way. The Modi Govt.is more likely to commit mistakes on this issue because it has an intrinsic weakness compared to erstwhile UPA Govts. This statement may sound odd because BJP has full majority in the Lok Sabha and NDA has 335 seats. UPA was never so strong in numbers except in the Rajiv- Indira era. The IAS aspirants are demanding that the pride of place be given to Hindi and not to English, which is a foreign language. At first sight, it may appear to any nationalist Indian “What is wrong with this demand? After all Hindi is our National language.”A little bit of deep thinking will make clear the absurdity of this demand. The biggest strength of English is not that it is an international language, a language of science and technology or a language of business and industry. The biggest strength is that English unites the educated classes from every nook and corner of India, it is equally difficult to learn for every Indian from every corner. It is thus a great equaliser/ leveller….which Hindi certainly isn’t. Hindi, undoubtedly unites 60% of India (Punjab, J& k, Maharashtra gujerat and Goa and all the Hindi speaking states) but it does not unite 35% of India (coastal India)….Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam and 5% of India living in tribal areas of N E India. Sanskrit language unites 90% of India but even that has little resonance in Tamil Nadu, (7% of India and 3% tribal India) . The Hindu religion philosophy and mythology which are mighty uniting forces of India also cover only 85%. It is only this foreign international language, English, which unites 100% of Indians who matter (leaving aside the illiterate masses, who hardly have any say except pressing the EVM buttons). The importance of English should never be under estimated, and Hindi can never dislodge English. Why Hindi, even the sacred language of India, Sanskrit could never have dislodged it from its pride of place.
The main weakness of the Modi govt. is that out of the 335 seats it won, 305 are from ‘Hindia’ and only 30 are from coastal India — thanks to one ally, Telugu Desam and faithfuls from Karnataka and Assam and Arunachal, Darjeeling and Asansol. Darjeeling and Asansol are also almost from ‘Hindia’ geographically. Another disadvantage of the Modi govt. is that it has almost nil support (9%?) from non-Hindus. It won this comfortable majority in Lok Sabha only because of heavy voting in this ‘Hindia’ belt.
This Govt. is, therefore, more likely to fall into the trap laid by the Hindi speaking students. If the govt. reduces the importance of English it will commit a huge blunder, although appeasing its voters. Asimilar situation was faced by Pakistan in the period 1947-71, when there was a huge tussle between west Pakistan (Urdustan – comparable to our ‘Hindia’) and East Pakistan (Bangladesh – comparable to our coastal India).The tussle in Pakistan started with a similar students’ agitation in 1956 which ultimately led to the bifurcation of Pakistan. The Pakistan govt. tackled the situation tactlessly, giving primacy to Urdu which led to a catastrophe. I hope the Modi govt. will not make any such mistake and will not give any primacy to Hindi. It may cause a revolt in coastal India and India may break into ‘Hindia’ and ten other small countries of coastal India. India is our dear motherland and we will not like it to break up into small pieces. Hindi and other important regional languages of southern and eastern India must be shown perfect equality and English should be the first among equals…at least for twenty years more.
(The author is former Financial Commissioner Feedback to the author at 09748635185 or amitkus@hotmail.com)
New administrative units
‘Small is good’ goes the saying. In a major cabinet decision, the State Government has ordered comprehensive geographical and territorial reorganization of the State with the main objective of streamlining the administration by creating more administrative units. In fact for quite some years, it was felt at higher administrative levels that with the expansion of developmental work in the State, the existing administrative structure needed reorganization. There have been administrative complications, no doubt, owing to the physical expanse of existing units. More complications were created by the ground reality that ours is a hilly State and a vast area is so located as to make organs of administration sometimes feel it difficult to keep track of developmental activity and suggest reforms and improvements if and when needed.
In view of this, the Cabinet has constituted a Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Minister to report on streamlining of the geographical and territorial limits of new administrative units. The Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) worked painstakingly on its details, particularly in consultation with the Revenue and Rural Development Departments and submitted its final report in February last. It is on the basis of this report that the Cabinet has now taken important decision of far-reaching consequences which, when implemented will mean substantial improvement and upgrading of district administration of the State.
Two orders approving creation of 659 new units were issued by the Revenue Department and Rural Development Department in this connection. Government order has approved creation of 46 new Sub Divisions, 135 Tehsils, 177 blocks and 301 Niabats.
The Government order said the geographical and territorial limits of newly created and adjoining existing administrative units will be notified separately as required under Section 5 of Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act. In a major departure from long standing system available in the Revenue Department of Patwar Halqa being at the base of the structural pyramid of the revenue department, the Cabinet has decided to convert all 3000 recommended Patwar Halqas into Panchayat Halqas which will serve the same purpose as the Patwar Halqa. As many as 1239 new posts will be created for Rural Department and Panchayati Raj Department. Revenue or administrative staff for the new units will be housed in the Panchayat Garhs or rented accommodation will be taken till proper departmental accommodation is made available. There are other logistical details in this connection and concerned offices and officers will be instructed to follow them.
As has been said in the beginning the ultimate purpose is to streamline the administration. We talk about good governance. It does not mean only honest and incorruptible functionaries who run the administration of the State. That is perhaps the first requirement of good governance. But apart from that working system also matters much. Territorial reorganization that has been decided by the Cabinet is a very important and effective measure to strengthen the concept of good governance. With the creation of new sub-units, efficiency and speed of disposing off official business will be generated. People in rural areas, who had to travel long distances in the district to reach a Government functionary for the redress of his grievances, will be spared these long travels. With the creation of new sub-divisions, tehsils, niabats and halqas, the task of rural population that very often needs to be in contact with them will be eased to a maximum degree.
Setting up of new administrative and revenue units will entail substantial expenditure and a new head in the budget. We hope that the Cabinet has taken the budgetary aspect of the reorganization scheme into consideration. This decision should not remain confined to the files and documents but should be translated into practice as early as possible. People should not get an impression that it is only election stunt. We know that its implementation will take its own time and nothing can happy in a hurry. But the ball has to be set rolling. Cabinet decision has to be welcomed because it is a bold decision aimed at strengthening the concept of good governance.
horoscope
Thursday July 31-2014
Aries : Today, love will be a delightful thing for you. You would want to spend all your time with friends and family, not to forget your Lhasa Apso. This doesn’t go down well with your peers, who may think you’re a shirker, says Ganesha.
Taurus : Good luck will trail you like your shadow today, predicts Ganesha. You are likely to get good news from out of the country in the afternoon. You may take a chance and express your hidden feelings to someone special. Overall, you will have a hassle-free frame of mind.
Gemini : Your emotions will cloud your reasoning today, portends Ganesha. You may find refuge in activities related to religion. Money lenders and those in retail business will find their cash registers ringing. Hard work, however, continues to be an important tool for success.
Cancer : It is highly likely that today, a sudden turn of events will change the course of your life, foretells Ganesha. At workplace, a lot of work and running around is on the cards. Later in the day, belief and faith will exert a pull on you, and you will spend most of your evening meditating.
Leo : Falling into a routine can be dangerous if it traps you in a rut. So, bear this in mind and take a break from the usual, says Ganesha. A little change will go a long way in helping you recharge your batteries. Your children’s achievements will make you proud, even as afternoon will bring glad tidings on the financial front. Chances are it shall be an emotional evening for you. But considering the events of the day, it is a good thing, says Ganesha.
Virgo : Lady Luck is your date for the day today. Good tidings bear their way to you from distant lands, and may be across the seas too. Chances are you make take an initiative to let the cat of love out of the bag. Your outlook will be free of confusion today, says Ganesha.
Libra : Wear your best suit and put on your favourite tie, because today you shall be in the limelight at work. Watch your hard work and innate talents get their share of rewards. Also, expect the best possible assistance from your colleagues. The stars align themselves in a position to give you the maximum leverage possible and boost your reputation by leaps and bounds, says Ganesha. Just make sure that success does not go to your head. What goes around comes around!
Scorpio : The itch of love will spread like a rash today. Passion will set you ablaze, says Ganesha. At work, the course of things may shift to being better than before. However, in love relationships, cold logic will rule over intense emotions. But sweat not in the heat of love, and find the poignancy hidden within, advises Ganesha.
Sagittarius : Ganesha suggests you get down to looking your dashing best. Preen that plumage and make heads turn. Your social standing, on the other hand, will add that extra jazz. Talking fast and smooth might just help you effect a robust consummation.
Capricorn : You will love to play God today, and may make use of every tactic of the power game to yield the desired results, says Ganesha. A clear thought process and non-judgemental attitude will show you a new direction to life, but you will have to be focused to meet success. Going by your instincts will not do you any harm unless, of course, you are up to something suicidal.
Aquarius : The stars foretell some good news from foreign shores. Also, you will be focused entirely on work. If you are striving to discover innovative ways to achieve speed, accuracy and efficiency, you may succeed today. Ganesha advises you to keep up the hard work.
Pisces : You have been under a lot of pressure of late, but today should see a marked change in your fortunes. A progressive day when it comes to business and professional matters. Fun and frolic too is on the agenda, with invitations to parties and other social get-togethers coming your way, says Ganesha.
Cable Car Project
On February 24 last, the Chief Minister accompanied by the Minister for Tourism laid the foundation of Cable Car Project that would link Peerkhu with Mahamaya forest and Shahbad. The Chief Minister had declared on that occasion that funds would not be a constraint for bringing the project to completion within time. But five months later, the project is stuck up for want of funds. It has to be reminded that the clearance of the project took long time as there was litigation and the final verdict was passed by the Apex Court of the country.
The matter has actually got stuck up at land acquisition level. The Supreme Court has ordered that 56 kanals of land of Mahamaya Forests be given to the J&K State Cable Car Project Corporation. Clearance from the SC Empowerment Committee has finally been obtained. The Cable Car Corporation has made payment of 3.75 crore rupees to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in March but the Forest department has not so far taken any step to demarcate the land that is to be transferred to the Cable Car Project. There are hurdles in way. To start the work on the project, Cable Car Corporation requires 28 kanals of private land at Peer Khu and 14 kanals at Bahu. But acquiring of these segments has become difficult for the Cable Car Project Corporation owing to non-availability of funds. The work could not be started.
Cable Car project was announced with great funfair as in the case of many more projects. This is what usually happens with most of projects. Will the cable car ever see the light of the day is a question? Though there are two parts of the Cable Car Project but when the project has got stuck up at the first stage, it will be premature to think of the second stage. The Government should not make a joke of the expectant people who were told that with the start of the cable car connectivity across the river will receive a boost.