Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: Scientists of SKUAST-J organized a training programme on rice cultivation under climate change scenario.
More than hundred farmers and farm women were present during the training programme. .
Rajeev Sharma, team member of project NICRA briefed about the programme.
Dr Vivak Arya, Soil Scientist & Principal Investigator of the project NICRA advocated that potassium play a major role in maintaining the quality of rice and its importance become more since recently many countries have raised the issue of quality of exported rice.
Dr Vivak further stressed that it is a proven fact that the high quality rice production is possible with the use potassium and it can also increase the capacity of plant to fight diseases and water stress. He advised farmers to apply fertilizers on targeted yield concept which will also improve the soil health while reducing the fertilizer load on soils. Dr Sanjay Koushal, SMS, SKUAST-J stressed that fertilizer dose should be applied on the basis of soil test.
SKUAST-J organizes awareness programme on climate change
Khan criticizes Mufti Bashir-ud-Din’s statement on KPs return
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: BJP Leader and the former IGP Farooq Khan strongly criticized Mufti Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad for his anti remarks on initiatives of Prime Minister Modi for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir Valley and called upon the nationalists including right thinking Kashmiri Muslims to condemn the despicable words of self styled grand Mufti of Kashmir who opposed the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their place of origin, Kashmir and demanded stern legal action against Mufti Bashir-ud-Din for his anti Kashmiri Pandit remarks.
Addressing the youth and the prominent citizens at Sainik Colony-Jammu, Khan said Kashmir Pandits are the symbols of Indian Nationalism, peace and prosperity and the anti peace elements, those tried their level best to destroyed the suffism and Kashmiriyat for last 25 years; are afraid of the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley and by making such a statements are trying to create the fear psychosis in the society.
Hitting out at grand Mufti Bashir-ud-Din, Khan said some religious leaders in Kashmir are the mere actors and are being directed by their bosses sitting across the border. He said Kashmiri Muslims always welcomed all the initiatives of the successive Union Governments to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley but it is a small section of anti social elements those are continuously spitting venom against the most nationalist, educated and the civilized society, he added. Khan welcomed the Prime Minister Modi’s initiative and the interest on the return of the exiled Kashmiri Pandits and expressed the hope that the Modi’s mission will be completed in a comprehensive manner.
Khan said BJP would ensure the full security Kashmiri Pandits as the community cannot be left on the mercy of Hurriyat and terrorists. He said that the real return envisaging return and retention would work only if there is no dilution in the constitutional position and BJP is committed to the real rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Ajay Pargal, Bharat Sharma, Ankit Sood, Ankur Sharma, Honey Singh and Surjeet Singh.
Take Chhamb DPs into confidence before redrafting memo: CDPA
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: Chhamb Displaced Persons Association (CDPA) of 1965 and 1971 has urged the Government to take the representatives of the Association into confidence before redrafting the memorandum of package for final settlement of displaced persons of Chhamb.
Addressing a meeting of the Association, which was held today to discuss latest developments having taken place at Government level regarding settlement of issues of Chhamb displaced persons of 1965 and 1971, its president, SR Nagial, said, “It is a matter of great satisfaction that after the initiative of Congress Ministers Sham Lal Sharma, Raman Bhalla and National Conference Minister Ajay Sadhotra, the State Cabinet has directed the Revenue Department to resubmit the memorandum of package for the final settlement of displaced people of Chhamb area.”
It was unanimously resolved in the meeting that the Government should ask the Revenue Department to do the needful in a time bound manner without wasting any time and also take the representatives of the association into confidence before redrafting the memorandum, so that no issue is left out for consideration.
1 dies, 6 injured in road mishaps
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 3: One person has died and three others were injured in different road accidents across the Valley.
A police spokesman said an unknown vehicle hit a scooter JK02/4790 at Samboora, Pulwama, resulting in injuries to the scooterist Mohammad Iqbal Lone of Damhal and his son. The duo was shifted to a hospital where Mohammad Iqbal Lone succumbed to his injuries.
A motorcycle JK05A-6373 driven by Abdul Majid Najar of Sariwaripora hit a cyclist Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of Ghat Palhalan at Sariwaripora in, resulting in injuries to both the riders. Both the injured were shifted to SKIMS Soura for treatment.
A Sumo JK04C-0851 hit and injured a pedestrian Abdul Ahad Wagay of Kanidajan at Kanidajan in Char-e-Sharief, Budgam. The injured was shifted to Sub District Hospital, Char-e-Sharief for treatment.
In another accident, a Swift car JK02AP-6078 skidded off the road at Gundipora bridge in Qazigund, Kulgam resulting in injuries to two passengers, Pushkar Nath Dhar and Sanjay Bhat of Vessu. Both the injured have been shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital, Srinagar for treatment.
The spokesman said police has registered cases in these accidents.
Speaker chairs Committee on Library meet
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 3: Mubarak Gul, Speaker Legislative Assembly, who is also Ex-Officio Chairman of the Committee on Library of J&K Legislative Assembly, today, directed the Assembly Secretariat to send a list of the important Dogri and Kashmir books to the Parliament Library for ready reference to the readers.
This direction was given by the Speaker while chairing a Library Committee meeting here today. Besides discussing various issues related to books available in both Libraries of the Assembly Secretariat at Jammu and Srinagar, the committee decided to have on the spot inspection of the important monuments of the State.
Earlier the Secretary Assembly M Ramzan briefed the Committee about the decisions taken by the Predecessor Committee at Jammu. The Committee while taking into account the decisions taken at Jammu was of the opinion that local authors should be encouraged in future by way of affecting the purchase of their publications.
The meeting was attended by Legislators Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, G M Saroori, Mir Zahoor Ahmad, Mohammad Yaseen Shah and Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani and gave their valuable suggestions with regard to upkeep of text books of these Libraries.
`Friends of Police’ to assist cops in militancy infested Surankote
Excelsior Correspondent
SURANKOTE, July 3: In a unique and innovative idea of civil policing in militancy infested areas of Surankote, Police has identified educated unemployed youth as `Friends of Police’.
In the first phase, a group of thirty youth, including 21 Post Graduates and nine Graduates, have been selected as `Friends of Police’ and issued Identity cards to assist the law enforcing agency as its ears and eyes for checking general crimes.
These `Friends of Police ‘ will help cops by informing about corruption and illegal acts in the area, check eve teasing, regulating traffic, control smuggling of forest products, bovine smuggling, over loading, extra charging and black marketing etc.
The idea of civil policing is brainchild of SDPO Surankote Ajay Sharma, who convened a meeting of these `Friends of Police’ at Bufliaz, Surankote, and briefed them about their role and responsibilities besides issuing I-cards.
General Line Teachers Forum appeals to Govt
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 3: Jammu and Kashmir General Line Teachers Forum appealed the Government not to implement the order of inclusion of five years of services of ReT teachers for seniority/promotionary benefits vis-à-vis their transfer within the district.
Addressing a press conference, general secretary of the forum Rakesh Thakur said that the decision made by the Government is totally against the norms of SSA, which was launched in the year 2000. Due to this decision now SSRB appointed teacher would become junior than the un-regularized ReT teachers, he added.
Sarvejeet Singh, vice president of the forum appealed the general line teachers to raise their voice against this decision.
The forum warned the Government of dire consequences if this order will be implemented.
Among others present were Govind Singh, Kuldeep Khajuria, Rakesh Sharma, Ravinder Kumar, Jatinder Singh, Vivek Gupta and Rahul Jandial.
Gurezi reviews functioning of ASH Deptts
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 3: Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Nazir Ahmad Gurezi has directed the authorities of Animal and Sheep Husbandry (ASH) Departments to work with dedication and speed up the pace of work and complete all Establishment and Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries (ESVHD) within a stipulated time frame. He also asked them to construct such hospital at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district area also.
These directions were given by the Minister while chairing a meeting of the officers of Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments here today convened to review the status of the progress of the works taken up by the these department.
Threadbare discussion was held on various issues including utilization of funds released under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
The meeting was informed that Rs. 8.39 crore stands released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, Dairy and Fisheries for construction of ESVDH buildings. The meeting was told 48 buildings have already been completed up to March, 2014 out of 135 buildings taken for construction in the state.
Stressing for judicious use of funds besides utilization of standard material, the Minister directed the concerned to complete all buildings early.
Unidentified body of old man found
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: An unidentified body of an old man (80) has been found in Coach No 98726 of Lohit Express at Railway Station, Jammu, police said.
According to a police spokesperson, the body was found on last Wednesday at about 3.40 pm. The dead body, which seems to be of 80 years old man, having height of about 5 feet four inches, is weatish in complexion and is wearing a Khaki pent and grey colour shirt, he added.
The dead body has been shifted in mortuary room of Government Medical College Jammu for identification as well as postmortem and the proceedings under Section 174 CrPC initiated by Police Post, GRP East Railway, Jammu.
JKSPA holds protest rally against Govt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: All J&K State Pensioners’ Association (JKSPA) today organized a protest rally here at Press Club against the State Government’s anti-working class policies.
Madan Lal Abrol, general secretary of the Association while addressing the protesting pensioners said the we (State pensioners) have been struggling for last over four and a half years in connection with problems relating to the implementation of 6th Pay Commission but Government did not give reasonable response till now while at the same time it enhanced the salary of legislators three times with perks amounting to more than ninety thousand rupees per month.
This attitude of the Government of giving priority to the legislators and showing the utter neglect to the pensioners and employees is highly unethical and discriminatory, he added.
Reiterating the demands of pensioners, which include release of remaining installments of 6th PC, enhancement of medical allowance from Rs 300 to Rs 1000, release of 6% DA arrears from January 2009 to June 2009, 10% DA installment from January 2014 onwards and additional quantum of pension in favour of State pensioners on the analogy of Central Government, the speakers appealed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address the genuine demands of the State pensioners without any delay.
The Association threatened the Government of launching an aggressive agitation if it failed to accede the demands of the pensioners and employees.