Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah has summoned party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on June 18 to discuss party’s overall strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections in the State.
The NC’s CWC would meet at Nawa-e-Subah complex, the party headquarters in Srinagar to discuss political situation and chalk-out party’s strategy in the Assembly elections in the State.

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 16: The Government land worth around Rs 10, 000 crore has been grabbed in various parts of Srinagar city with the connivance of the Revenue Department officials.
A committee formed by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailender Kumar, to look into the land grab in Srinagar city has found that around 22, 339 kanals of State land and 264.4 kanals of water bodies under the illegal occupation.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir had formed a committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah, in February this year to look into the land grab in the city.
The order (dated: 21.2.2014) of the Divisional Commissioner reads: “Enquiry is ordered regarding encroachments of State land in the city of Srinagar and the team constituted for the said purpose consists Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Director Land Management, Srinagar Development Authority; and Regional Director Land Records and Surveys, Srinagar.”
The Assistant Commissioner Central, Srinagar, issued a notice for a meeting in April this year asking the members of team to attend the meeting held by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to discuss the reports filed by Revenue officials and other department regarding encroachment of State land.
In the meeting Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar submitted the details of State land under the illegal and authorized occupation, sought from the Tehsil Offices of SDA, LAWDA, SMC and Nazool organization along with their framed reports.
The report revealed that 8516.10 kanals of land are under unauthorized occupation in Tehsil South, Srinagar which includes land under Police Station Khanyar and Cargo, the headquarter of Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Sheirghari area.
The report revealed that in Tehsil South Srinagar 13458.5 kanals of land are under unauthorized occupation.
The Secretary LAWDA in its communication to the Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar has found that 51.16 kanals of land and 262.16 kanals of wet land is under unauthorized occupation in Dal Lake. And in Nageen lake 16 kanals of land and 1.8 kanals of wet land is under unauthorized occupation.
Even the land of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) measuring 126.7 kanals is under unauthorized occupation by 74 encroachers.
The report says that 170.2 kanals of land is under 110 beneficiaries of Roshni Act and they have not fulfilled the requirements under the Act.
The report, however, is silent on the Action Taken by the revenue officials regarding the encroachments.

Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, June 16:  The people from many areas of Jammu region had great relief from the scorching heat this evening after rain and thunder-storm lashed many parts of the region, bringing temperature nearly 10 degrees Celsius down today.
Massive wind storm in many parts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua caused damage to electric poles and cables besides uprooting  many trees and tin roofs of the houses in the villages, causing damage to the public property. The power supply to many rural as well as urban areas was affected in many parts of the region. Even in Jammu city, the power has been snapped for the last over 5 to 6 hours till now.
A Met office spokesman said that Jammu recorded maximum temperature of  41.5 degree Celsius today. It was taken at around 2.30 pm at the Jammu’s north  observatory. He said due to rains in many parts of hilly and some plains areas of Jammu region, the temperature dropped down considerably this evening. At around 5.30 pm just after three hours the day’s temperature dropped down to 31.2 degree Celsius, showing nearly 10 degree sharp fall in the temperature. The minimum temperature in Jammu ( around 6 pm) on Sunday was 39.2 degree C.
Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a maximum of 37.3 degree C and minimum 28.8 degree C temperature, Kathua 40.3 degree C and 31.0 degree C, Bhaderwah maximum 33.9 degree C and minimum 18.7 degree C whereas, Batote maximum 30 degree C and minimum 21.3 degree C today.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the State  today recorded a maximum of 32.8 degree C  and minimum 18.7 degree C temperature. The spokesman added that the Jammu areas would experience light thunder-storm and rain in some places
In next 2-3 days. Therefore, the temperature will not show much rise in next couple of days.
Due to massive wind storm this afternoon a large 132 KV tower near Nagrota collapsed while many electric poles  and cables were damaged. Reports reaching from Akhnoor, Phallain Mandal, Nagrota, Dansal, R S Pura, Bishnah, Vijaypur, Purmandal, Samba and parts of Kathua said that intensity of wind storm was high. It uprooted many trees and electric poles.
The cables were snapped and fell down at many places. The power supply to many area has been snapped with this. No loss of life has been reported so far from any area. The tin-roofs of many houses also got damaged with the wind storm and the loss of property could not be ascertained immediately.
A senior officials in the PDD when contacted said that reports of damage are being received from various stations  and the picture would be clear by tomorrow. He said in some areas the department had no other option expect snapping power supply to protect loss of life. The field staff has been directed to restore power at war footings. Some power stations have also suffered damage, he added.

*Unending wait for CT Scan at DH Ramban

Mohinder Verma
RAMBAN, June 16: Shocking it may sound but it is a fact that Rs 78 lakh worth Critical Care Ambulance positioned at District Hospital Ramban is being put to use only during the visits of the VVIPs and not for the critical patients requiring transportation either to Jammu or Srinagar for specialized treatments.
The Critical Care Ambulance was provided by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to the District Hospital Ramban through National Highway Authority of India in the month of September last year for the use in shifting critical patients to hospitals either in Jammu or Srinagar for specialized treatment.
The District Hospital Ramban was chosen for Critical Care Ambulance, which contains Rs 66 lakh worth state-of-the-art equipment like ventilator, keeping in view the fact that numerous tragic road accidents take place on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 1A after regular intervals and critically injured patients are required to be shifted to the hospitals in the capital cities.
However, the ambulance could not be used for the critical patients till date and rather is being put to use only during the visits of VVIPs to the erstwhile Doda district, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “whenever any VVIP visits the area instructions come from the higher up to the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital, Ramban to depute the Critical Care Ambulance to the spot”.
When asked about the reason behind not allowing the ambulance to be used for the intended purpose, sources said, “only anesthesiologist can operate the equipment installed in the ambulance but during the past quite long time neither any anesthesiologist has been deputed in the hospital nor exclusively for the ambulance”, adding “during the VVIP visits, the ambulance is deputed along with one Assistant Surgeon and some technicians”.
They regretted, “it is most unfortunate that for want of one anesthesiologist benefit of Rs 78 lakh worth Critical Care Ambulance is being denied to the critical patients notwithstanding the fact that even minor surgery on emergency basis can be performed in this ambulance”. They disclosed that the issue of providing two anesthesiologist to the District Hospital was brought to the notice of Director Health Services, Jammu a number of times but till date no step has been initiated in this regard.
In response to a question, sources said, “whenever attendants of any critical patient approach the hospital administration for providing ambulance service they are told to pay Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 for shifting the patient either to Jammu or Srinagar on the ground that fuel average of the ambulance is three kilometer per liter”. However, during the visit of VVIPs, the expenditure on account of fuel of the ambulance is borne by the administration or authorities of Health Department under different heads of accounts.
What to talk of making optimum use of this Critical Care Ambulance, the District Hospital is also crying for CT Scan machine during the past four years. “In 2010, we were told that CT Scan would be provided to the hospital very shortly but till date the machine has not been provided as a result of which for CT Scan facility the patients are being referred to other destinations”, sources informed.
The situation vis-à-vis health facilities for the accident probe district can be gauged from the fact that Trauma Hospital building is ready with certain equipment but its optimum use remains a dream due to the shortage of necessary machinery and manpower including doctors and para-medical staff. “In such a situation major part of the building stands like a white elephant”, sources remarked.
When contacted, District Development Commissioner, Ramban, M H Malik confirmed that for want of anesthesiologist the facility of Critical Care Ambulance was not available to the patients. “I have taken up this issue as well as shortage of manpower and equipment in the Trauma Hospital with the concerned authorities and hopefully they will initiate steps to improve the situation”, he added.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 16: The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) met here last evening under the chairmanship of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to discuss the electoral strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections in the State.
The PAC reviewed the political situation of the State in light of the results of the Lok Sabha elections in which the party swept the Kashmir valley winning all three Parliamentary seats. The ruling coalition faced a complete white wash.
The party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed while expressing his appreciation for the well organised election campaign said the ability of the party leaders and workers in carrying its message to the voters had been crucial to their mobilisation. He said the absence of negativity in the party’s poll discourse, clear agenda and our ability to identify actual issues had brought the PDP to the centre stage of State’s political scenario. The renewed and broad based faith of the people earned by the party had not only made it the premier political party of the State but has added to its challenges in view of the difficult situation created by the present coalition, he said.
Mufti said peace and development along with a special focus on issues facing the youth, especially employment generation should continue to guide party’s policies and agenda. He said the party would continue to provide an inclusive platform for all regions and communities of the State for opportunities of growth. “It is unfortunate that the elections in many areas were driven by a communal polarisation and it would be necessary to reverse this trend for building a modern welfare state” said Mufti.
Mufti said there are strong indicators that the PDP is headed for victory in the Assembly elections as well but the LS election results should not lead to complacency. “We have to continue with our mass contact program and organisational activities to seek a decisive mandate from the people for a strong and accountable Government” Mufti said and added the people must get a dependable alternative which can address their problems, curb corruption, ensure upholding of human rights and offers a new world to youth.
Apart from the party president Mehbooba Mufti, those who participated include senior leader and MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Tariq Hameed Qarra MP, S Rangeel Singh, general secretaries, M Dilawar Mir and Yashpal Sharma, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Dr Sameer Kaul, Tarlok Singh Bajwa and Naeem Akhtar.
A spokesman of the party said the names of party candidates were discussed considering different parameters. He said for a party which happens to be the youngest political organisation of the State it was a matter of satisfaction that the selection has to be made from multiple choices. He said the PAC recorded the contribution of all contenders for the party mandate and the obvious inability to accommodate all of them should not shut doors on their growth within the party. “The PDP is a vibrant and growing party based on democratic principles and every worker will receive due place and opportunity to serve people through different democratic institutions which have been made dysfunctional by the present Government” the spokesman said.
The list of candidates will be released shortly, he added.
Meanwhile, Mufti today said that PDP, being a trusted and credible voice of the people of State, would play historic role to change political discourse of Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated that PDP would facilitate any meaningful initiative to solve Kashmir issue.
“Our party, through its convictions and commitments, had earlier convinced successive Governments at New Delhi to take bold initiatives for restoring lasting peace in this region”, Mufti said while addressing a function here.
He especially mentioned that PDP led coalition, without compromising with the dignity of the people of the State, had pursued the reconciliatory process which was endorsed by successive Governments at New Delhi. He reiterated that PDP would play the role of peace facilitator to establish sustainable peace in this sub-continent.
He said that aim of his party was to create an atmosphere of peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. Seeking support of the people to solve all contentious issues, Mufti said the PDP has created a new space within the democratic system for the resolution of Kashmir issue. “Having emerged as a strong regional force, PDP has to play a crucial role in the new democratic discourse for the resolution of Kashmir issue”, he said.
Exhorting party cadre to educate people about PDP’s agenda of peace and development, Mufti said that in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections people of State have given a clear message of change. “With the support of the people, PDP is committed to change the present corrupt and inept dispensation to establish a new system of justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir”, he said.
“After 2002 elections, PDP had proved how to carry forward, simultaneously, the agenda of peace and reconciliation along with the good  governance”, he said and  reminded the gathering that PDP had set an example of governance by bringing transparency and accountability  in the administration. Reiterating resolve of his party to bring people of different regions and sub-regions of the State together by bridging the gap, Mufti asserted that PDP would remove the trust deficit between people of the Jammu and Kashmir and rest of the country.
“During our tenure we had proved how to treat all regions and sub-regions equally and party would further facilitate the process of bridging the gap to ensure justice and equality to all regions and sub-regions”, Mufti said.
Calling upon party workers to agitate for people’s issues, PDP patron said that system has completely collapsed in the State and there was no Government on the ground. “Being a responsible opposition party, it is duty of the PDP cadre to force the State Government to solve day today problems of the common masses”, he said.

Excelsior Correspondent

DODA, June 16: Two passengers were killed, while 22 others were injured, five of them critically, when the mini-bus they were traveling in skidded off the road and plunged into deep gorge at Balwas.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK11-1169 was on its way to Doda from Bhagwah, when the driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve, resulting the vehicle plunged into deep gorge at Balwas this morning, causing grievous injuries to 24 passengers.
On getting information, police and locals rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, based at Doda, swung into action and rushed to the accident site and assisted the police and locals.
All the injured were rushed to District Hospital Doda in police and other vehicles, where doctors declared two persons namely Amir (18), son of Gul Mohammad of Chapnari Doda and Ghulam Nabi (40), son of Sikander of Chapra Dandal as brought dead.
Later, five seriously injured were airlifted to Srinagar hospital for advance treatment.
The injured have been identified as Sanjeet Singh (19), son of Bharat Singh of Pul Doda, Raviti Raman (45), son of Jagdish Singh of Kastigarh, Kifaytullah Khan (25), son of Mohammad Sharief Khan of Akramabad, Muzamil Khan (18), son of Khushi Mohammad of Akramabad, Mohammad Yousuf (47), son of Ghulam Mohammad of Zadaan, Mohammad Amin (38), son of Ghulam Mohammad of Menchar, Muneera Akhtar (37), wife of Mohammad Amin of Akramabad, Javed Ahmed (45), son of Ghulam Qadir Batt of Kuddhar, Asif Ilahi (30), son of Abdul Hamid of Gurmul, Muneera Begum (40), wife of Ghulam Mohammad of Menchar, Kamaljeet Singh (25), son of Prem Raj of Gaddi, Shokena Banoo (18), daughter of Ghulam Mohammad of Menchar, Sansvi Devi (30), wife of Rajesh of Chulas, Aneet Raj, son of Rajesh of Chulas, Rakesh Gupta (35), son of Hem Raj of Doda, Tahira (16), daughter of Mohammad Iqbal of Kurdhar, Shima Farha (25), daughter of Tasduk Kelam of Akramabad, Kesar Singh (39), son of Omkar Singh of Majmi, Shahid (25), son of Jabar Butt of Kotal, Zia-ul-Haq (43), son of Mohammad Khaleel of Doda, Nasir Jameel (4), son of Mohammad Amin of Doda and Jameela.
A case in this regard has been registered at concerned police station and investigation started.
Meanwhile, Minister for Roads and Buildings and Mechanical Engineering Abdul Majid Wani along with District Development Commissioner, Doda Mubarak Singh and SSP Doda MS Chouhan immediately rushed to District Hospital Doda to supervise the treatment being provided to the injured.
Wani directed hospital authorities to provide best medicare facilities to the injured.
He also interacted with the injured persons and enquired about the treatment being provided to them besides wishing them early recovery.
Expressing grief and sorrow over the death of two passengers in the mishap, Minister said that all possible help and relief would be provided to the next of the kin of those who lost their lives in the accident. He expressed his condolences with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.