Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 11: Mentioning the potential for employment generation in tourism sector for both skilled and non-skilled people, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction over the increase in tourist arrivals in the State particularly in Kashmir valley during last three years, adding that efforts are vigorously on to enhance and consolidate this trend.
In an average over one million visitors visited Kashmir valley during the last three years giving considerable fillip to tourism and generated good economic activities for the people.
“We have kept tourism sector almost all out of the tax regime to help the people whose livelihood is associated with the growth and development of tourism to get benefited and encouraged for upgrading tourist facilities”, he said and added that nature has bestowed Jammu and Kashmir with plenty of tourist attractions and every one of us has the responsibility to protect and preserve the scenic beauty of Jammu and Kashmir for generations to come. He said while departments concerning tourism have special responsibility of preservation and conservation of tourist resorts, the stakeholders in the sector are equally responsible in this regard besides general people.
Addressing Tourism Advisory Committee which met here today under his chairmanship, the Chief Minister heard the views of the representatives of hoteliers, house boat owners, shikara- walas, transporters, taxi operators, traders, travel agents and others organizations and directed the Tourism Department to take note of these and look into them in depth for upgrading and improving tourism facilities and ensuring welfare of the people associated with this sector.
The Chief Minister said that wide ranging initiatives have been taken to make tourism attractive for investors as also enhance the chances of economic activities for youth in this sector which has been of a great economic resource for the people and the State since times immemorial. He said pilgrim, adventure, sport and other related tourism is being encouraged to develop along with the growth of conventional tourism. He said steps are also on to rope in high-end tourists in the State in a greater number.
The Minister for Tourism, G. A. Mir, Minister of State for Tourism, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Principal Secretary Finance, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Zaffar Ahmad Bhat, Directors of Tourism from Kashmir and Jammu, various senior officers and representatives of different organizations in tourism sector were present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister assured the representatives of Jammu that he would continue his efforts to protect and enhance the importance of Jammu as a tourist destination and as a significant heritage place. “I have already told the Union Government for taking necessary measures to upgrade and improve Jammu Railway Station”, he said, adding that the pace of work on various projects including artificial lake being developed at Jammu, will be accelerated so that pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi and others heritage sites also visit and stay at Jammu.
In a power point presentation, the Secretary Tourism gave an overview of the achievements registered in tourism sector in the State during the last over five years.
The Secretary Tourism listed the schemes completed and under progress in the State for comprehensive and holistic development of tourism sector. He also mentioned the measures being implemented for conservation, protection and beautification of tourist resort, heritage sites and pilgrimage places in the State. He also apprised the Committee of measures underway to promote sports, adventure, pilgrimage and non-conventional tourism in the State.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 11: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vasu Dubey regarding violation of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 read with various provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and seeking direction to implement guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan today directed Deputy Commissioner Jammu and SSP Jammu for filing report in terms of Order Dated May 9, 2014 before next date of hearing, failing which they shall appear before the court in person to explain their conduct.
When the PIL was taken-up for hearing, Division Bench observed, “In earlier orders, observations were made after noticing the stand of the District Magistrate Jammu, Municipal Corporation, Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Jammu, Regional Transport Officer, Jammu, all Sub Divisional Magistrates, all Tehsildars (Executive Magistrate Ist Class), Executive Officers of Municipal Committees and all SHOs of district Jammu were advised by the District Magistrate to ensure implementation of the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Instrument (Control of Noises) Act, 1959 apart from the directions issued by the Supreme Court”.
“This court has issued directions for filing follow up status reports. It was also directed that Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu was to issue public notice for general area of Jammu and for Bishnah in particular initiating an awareness drive with regard to the provisions of law and the directions of Supreme Court as well as of this court”, the DB said, adding “the Senior Superintendent of Police was required to register complaint of the petitioner and take necessary action in terms of 1959 Act”.
“In pursuance to Order Dated May 9, 2014 Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu has filed compliance report which disclosed the reply submitted by the SHO Police Station, Bishnah. According to the reply, Sub Inspector K L Raina was deputed to investigate the matter, who visited the vicinity of Radha Krishan Mandir and recorded statements of the people residing there. It is conceded that amplifier/loudspeakers were used but there was no complaint made by the residents of the locality”, the DB observed.
“We do not approve of the conduct adopted by the Sub Inspector because the use of amplifier/loud speakers has not been denied and in the directions issued by the Supreme Court it has been specifically laid down that the noise level where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used, shall not exceed 10 db(A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB(A) whichever is lower and no one shall beat a drum or tom-tom or blow a trumpet or beat or sound any instrument or use any sound amplifier at night (between 10.00 p.m. and 6 a.m.) except in public emergencies”, the DB said, adding “the peripheral noise level of privately owned sound system shall not exceed by more than 5 dB(A) than the ambient air quality standard specified for the area in which it is used, at the boundary of the private place.”
“It has also been directed by the Supreme Court that the loudspeakers/amplifiers and such other equipments as are found to be creating noise beyond permissible limit should be confiscated”, the DB said, adding “we direct that if any organization or private person indulges in violation of the directions of the Supreme Court and the provisions of Rule 3 of Rules of 2000 then the District Magistrate shall swing into action and confiscate the loudspeaker/amplifiers of the violators”.
The DB further said, “the Action Taken Report filed on behalf of Executive Magistrate Ist Class, Bishnah reveals that he has adopted the strategy of involving civil society by making them aware of the ill effects of noise pollution which has resulted in some improvement concerning use of loudspeakers/amplifiers in the city”.
“With regard to the city of Jammu, all SHOs along with other officers were required to file the status report in accordance with the directions issued vide order dated 09.05.2014 but the needful has not been done”, the DB observed.
While reiterating the directions, the DB directed that the Action Taken Report/ compliance reports should be filed before the adjourned date failing which Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu and the District Magistrate, Jammu shall remain present in person.

Excelsior Correspondent
New Delhi, July 11: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded increase in frequency of trains on Baramulla-Banihal sector besides extension of rail network to Uri, Kupwara, Sonamarg, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar to facilitate greater intra-state mobility.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha by moving cut motions on the Union Railway Budget, PDP MPs Mehbooba Mufti and Tariq Hameed Karra said while latest announcement regarding increase in frequency of train services on Banihal-Budgam sector is a welcome step, but the same needs to be extended upto Baramulla to cope up with the massive passenger rush. They said as per the reports while the existing facility of trains on Banihal-Baramulla sector is sufficient for only 1500 passengers, around 5000 passengers commute daily on this sector.
“In view of the massive passenger rush, there is a pressing need for increasing train frequency on Banihal-Budgam sector,” they said and added that move will go a long way in cutting the risk of road accidents in Kashmir as scores of precious lives are lost daily in tragic road mishaps across the state. They also demanded adding new stations on Banihal-Baramulla sector to ease accessibility besides developing Banihal, Anantnag, Budgam and Baramulla as model Railway Stations.
The MPs urged the Centre to initiate measures for extension of rail link from Srinagar to Sonamarg, Baramulla to Uri & Kupwara and Jammu to Poonch-Rajouri & Doda-Kishtwar. They said that linking all the regions and sub-regions of the state would not only increase human mobility but also generate new economic activity in the state as the locals products including fruit and handicrafts would get easy access to the markets throughout the country and beyond. “In the long term we can have train links upto Muzaffarabad via Uri, Rawalakote via Poonch, Skardu via Kargil, Sialkote via Jammu to boost the intra-state trade and movement of people in the region,” they said.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 11: General Insurance Employees Union (North Zone) and NZIEA, under the banner of All Indian Insurance Employees Association held strong demonstration at Shalamar Chowk here in protest against the increase in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from 26% to 49% as announced by Modi Government.
The Insurance employees strongly opposed the move and described it as suicidal for the economy of the country. It was part of country-wide protest programme during lunch hour by the insurance sector employees. The employees were addressed by Dalip Koul, general secretary (GIC) and Pawan Gupta, Divisional Secretary (NZIEA). They pointed out that NDA Government led by Modi has started showing its colours while coming to power. The same BJP used to oppose FDI in insurance sector when it was in opposition but now it has changed its stand after coming to power for vested interests.
The Standing Committee on Parliament led by Yashwant Sinha has unanimously submitted the report in December 2011, opposing the increase in FDI cap in insurance sector from 26 to 49 %. But surprisingly, the move of BJP led NDA Government has stunned the employees in the insurance sector as well as people of the country for taking U-turn by top BJP leadership. They said so far as insurance is concerned, the total FDI in life sector from 2001-2013 is only Rs 6040.91 crore whereas, for the same period LIC has paid dividend of Rs 10565.74 crore to the Government. As on March 31, this year the investment in Government and social sector by LIC is Rs 921371 crore. Moreover, the investment by LIC in the 11th Five Year Plan is Rs 704151 crores. The provision for raising FDI cap to 49 % is to have control on the house hold savings of this country by the foreign players and not in the development of infrastructure.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 11: The residents of Jammu West held protest demonstration, raised various demands related to day to day life and blocked vehicular movement at New Plots, today.
The protesters led by Sunil Dimple, president, Jammu West Assembly Movement criticized the Congress Party and the State and Central  NDA Governments for shortage of essential commodities and not implementing the Food Security Bill in the State and  burnt the effigies and the copies of the NDA Budget.
Sunil Dimple said the rising prices of the vegetables, essential commodities have already broken the back bone of the common man and the CAPD Department has failed to control and check the rising prices.
He flayed the Government for not constituting flying squads to check the rising prices. He said malpractice of the blackmailing of the ration is visible on the ground and there is no Government machinery to check the rising prices in Jammu city and the region.
Sunil Dimple stated that this is pro capitalist budget which will make richer more rich and the poor the poorer. Dimple said that it has given encouragement to the FDI.
He demanded implementation of the Food Security Bill in the State, increase of relaxation of service tax, sale tax on the sale of LPG gas, petrol and diesel to relieve the common man of the country and  the J&K State.
The prominent leaders who participated in the protest were Swarn Lal, Papu, Tilak Raj, Vijay Kumar, Sumit Virdi, Romi, Kala Singh, Daleep Kumar, Balak Ram Angral,  Mohinder lichi, Dr Sham Saroop, Ramesh Chander Kohli, Vinod Suri, and others.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 11: Several books on law were released today during an impressive function by the management of Jay Kay Law Reporter Pvt Ltd, here today.
Justice Tashi Rabstan graced the occasion as chief guest while Justice Banshi Lal Bhat and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal were the guests of honour in the function.
The books, which were released, included JK Laws by Advocate H L Chowdhari;
Criminal Law Manual by Advocate H L Chowdhari; Manual of Taxation Laws, by Advocate Dinesh Singh Chauhan and Advocate Ratan Lal Gupta; Manual of Labour Laws by Dinesh Singh Chauhan; Election Laws by Dinesh Singh Chauhan and Financial Code by Dinesh Singh Chauhan.
Justice O P Sharma reviewed JK Laws (2nd Edition 2013) while S S Lehar, senior Advocate reviewed Election Laws by Dinesh Singh Chauhan. B S Slathia, Senior Advocate, presented book review of Criminal Law Manual by H L Choudhari.
D C Raina presented book review of Manual of Taxation Laws while Sunil Sethi and Advocate Monika Kohli presented book review of Manual of Labour Law Financial Code by Dinesh Singh Chauhan, respectively.
The stage was managed by Advocate Vikram while vote of thanks was delivered by Advocate Ajay Sharma.