Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 7: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Manjit Singh today appealed the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the enhancement of compensation for the flood affected people of the border villages from Rs 300 to Rs 2000 per kanal.
In a statement, Singh said that the Government has offered compensation of Rs 300 per kanal which is insufficient for the victim farmers whose crops were damaged due to flood in Devak and Basanter rivers.
He said that the people of the affected area have suffered a lot but the Government offered them very less amount and it should be enhanced to Rs 2000 per kanal.
Singh said the Government should not force people to come on the road against the decision as it would not be good for them.
“If the same losses would have taken place in Kashmir, the amount of compensation would have increased. But as a part of discrimination with the people of Jammu region, they first delayed compensation and now offered very less”, he alleged.
He said that the Government should re-think and increase the compensation.
Enhance compensation for flood affected people of border villages: Manjit
Body recovered
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 7: A male body was recovered by police from Dal lake in Srinagar.
Srinagar police was informed by some locals regarding a body in the Dal lake. Police retrieved the body from the lake near Kral Sangri. The body was later identified as Mohammad Sheikh son of Wali Mohammad Sheikh of Largam Tral.
Police has initiated an inquest proceeding under Section 174 CrPC to ascertain the cause of the death. The body was shifted to Panthachowk Hospital for postmortem.
Meenal leads in Sr State ‘A’ Chess C’ship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: Young Meenal Gupta, the lone female participant of the tournament was leading with 4 out of four points after four rounds played so far in the ongoing Senior State A Chess Championship, being organized by All J&K Chess Association at Hotel Nek, Below Gummat, here. Sumit Grover and Rohit Bhardwaj were at second place with 3.5 points each.
In the fourth round, Mohd Sharief outplayed Sheikh Najmus Sakib, Shahid Mushtaq got better of Amir Yousuf Bhat, Meenal Gupta trounced Javaid Ahmed Bhat, Pranav Sharma drew with Soham Kamotra, Rohit Bhardwaj drubbed Mohd Rafiq, Sumit Grover outclassed Faisal Farooq and Maxim Singh prevailed over Arvindu.
Total 13 rounds will be played in this event, which is being organized by All J&K Chess Association under the patronage of J&K State Sports Council.
The matches are being supervised by Baldev Raj, vice president of the Association, Ajit Singh is the chief arbiter of the event.
Ratnipora villagers demand CD Block
Excelsior Correspondent
PULWAMA, Feb 7: Hundreds of Ratnipora villagers in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district today held a protest march against the Government for not granting CD Block status to their village.
Villagers led by local political representative, Abdul Qayoom Mir, poured on the main road and chanted slogans against the Government.
They said their village holds the centrality in the area and deserves a Block status.
“Dozens of villages, including Pahoo, Dougam, Mirbagh, Gulbagh, Hanjipora, Puchal, Lajoora, Narwah, Kunjipora, Kharbatpora, Tirch , Pinglena, fall within the vicinity of the village, having population of around 8,000 deserves to be a Block. But, despite qualifying as per the recommendations of the Mushatq Ganie Committee and Cabinet-Sub Committee (CSC) our village has been neglected,” said Mir, who is the general secretary of People’s Democratic Forum.
The villagers also carried black flags to register their anger.
“We had met the CSC during their visit to the district and raised our demand before them. They had assured us of the Block. But we were shocked when the announcement was made and our village did not figure anywhere in the list,” said Mir.
He said the villagers demand that the Government consider their genuine wish and provide a CD Block to them, “else we will launch a prolonged agitation against the Government.”
Boy commits suicide
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Feb 7: A 13 year old boy committed suicide by hanging himself with a tree 60 metres away from his residential house at his native village Tarahda in Nagri Parole area of Kathua district.
He has been identified as Saurav Kumar son of Janak Raj, a student of Class 7th. The Nagri Parole Police Post has registered a case in this regard under Section 174.
The body of the boy was taken to District Hospital Kathua by police for postmortem and later it was handed over to family for last rites.
New Municipal Solid Waste Management Projects for Jammu, Srinagar soon: Jora
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: The State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) today decided to submit five mega projects costing about Rs. 600 crore to the Union Ministry of Urban Development for funding in order to improve solid waste management in twin capital cities of the State. The projects also include Preservation and Development of river Jehlum from Dobji Ghat Gowkadal to Chattabal (Cement Bridge) and Decongestion/ Redevelopment of inner old city areas.
The decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting chaired by the Minister of Urban Development & Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora here today.
It was informed that the Srinagar Municipal Committee & Jammu Municipal Committee would be the project executing agencies for solid waste management at a cost of Rs. 116.86 cr. and Rs. 70.58 cr. respectively whereas the Urban Environment Engineering Department (UEED) will be the project executing agency for construction of Sewerage Project in missing link areas of Srinagar city at a cost of Rs. 55.83 cr. The Preservation & Development of River Jehlum will be undertaken by Flood Control Division, Srinagar at an estimated cost of Rs. 79.37 cr. whereas the Circular Roads Projects, Srinagar will be project executing agency for decongestion and redevelopment of inner old city areas at an estimated cost of Rs. 278.50 cr.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that these urban development projects will be undertaken under the Urban Infrastructure & Governance (UIG) scheme Submission of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), adding that the main focus will be on introducing latest scientific innovations for upgrading the existing urban infrastructure in the State. He asked the concerned engineers and concerned officers of the Urban Development Department to take advanced measures for implementation of these projects till required funds are sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Urban Development.
He underscored the need for a mission mode for execution of such mega projects aiming at improving the basic civic amenities for the people.
Par panel recommends increasing retirement age to 65
NEW DELHI, Feb 7:
A parliamentary committee has recommended that retirement age should be increased from 60 years to 65 years, citing the increase in ageing population and their productivity.
In its report tabled in Lok Sabha today, the committee also advocated a host of benefits to the geriatric population, including upping their income tax exemption limit and setting up of super-speciality hospitals in all states exclusively for them.
“The committee would like the Ministry (Social Justice and Empowerment) to seriously consider the various options which would include reviewing the age of retirement, re-employment opportunities for the retired persons… And setting up a Directorate of Employment and Rehabilitation for Senior Citizens,” it said.(PTI)
7 yrs RI to narco smuggler
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: Principal Sessions Judge Kathua, AK Koul today awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 50,000 to Narpay Singh, son of Bant Singh, who was facing trial in smuggling of poppy straw and issued General Arrest Warrants against Baljeet Singh, son of Gandhor Singh.
According to the police case, on April 5, 2007, a police party laid a naka at Kalibari on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and intercepted a tanker bearing registration number HR37B-1816. During the search of the vehicle, nine kilograms of poppy straw was recovered from a mesh fixed on the front of the vehicle.
After hearing PP Ravi Gupta for the State whereas Advocate Ganesh Sharma for the accused, Principal Sessions Judge Kathua, A K Koul observed, “it is fair to conclude that Narpay Singh was found in conscious possession of nine kilograms of poppy straw, the possession of which he could not justify. So, Narpay Singh appears to be connected with the guilt beyond all shadows of doubt. He is so convicted under Section 8/15 NDPS Act”.
“The courts have to be live to the facts and circumstances of the case, the principles of law governing the award of sentence, the legislative intent behind NDPS Act and also the impact of awarding sentence. A balance has to be struck between aggravating and mitigating circumstances before awarding the punishment to an accused”, Principal Sessions Judge said, adding “so far as, NDPS Act is concerned, it is a very stringent legislation and the purpose behind the Act is to thwart the drug trafficking activity. It would not be out of place to mention that India has become a haven for drug peddlers and so it is high time that the crime is dealt with an iron hand”.
“The accused in this case is in the prime of his youth but then the crime committed by him is also grave so he is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 50,000 is imposed on him”, the Court said.
Sangakkara hits another ton as Sri Lanka eye win
Chittagong (Bangladesh) Feb 7: Kumar Sangakkara became the second batsman in history to score a triple-century and a hundred in the same match as Sri Lanka pressed for victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Friday.
The tourists, who led by 161 runs on the first innings, declared their second knock at 305-4 in the post-tea session of the fourth day’s play at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.
Bangladesh, set an improbable target of 467 to record a series-levelling win, were 12-0 at stumps with Tamim Iqbal on seven and Shamsur Rahman on four.
Sri Lanka will begin the final day needing 10 wickets to sweep the two-match series, while Bangladesh require another 455 runs in a minimum of 90 overs.
Left-handed Sangakkara followed his 319 in the first innings with 105 in the second, joining Englishman Graham Gooch as the only batsmen to achieve the rare feat.
Gooch made 333 and 123 against India at Lord’s in 1990.
Sangakkara, with 34 three-figure knocks already under his belt, added one more to the tally with a six off Sohag Gazi after tea, but was bowled off the next delivery.
Dinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten on 100, having shared a fourth-wicket stand of 145 with Sangakkara after Sri Lanka’s wobbled at the start.
Earlier, Bangladesh were bowled out for 426 in their first knock within 25 minutes of the start in reply to Sri Lanka’s 587. (AGENCIES)
Red Cross Mela arrangements discussed
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 7: To generate and enhance the resources for the District Red Cross Committee Samba, a Red Cross Mela is going to be organized in Samba this month.
This was revealed by the District Development Commissioner Samba R K Varma in a meeting.
He said that the objective of organizing the Red Cross Mela was to create awareness among the general masses regarding Red Cross Society and generate funds for the welfare activities of the society.
He stressed for greater involvement of social organizations and youth in extending service to downtrodden and those facing distress due to manmade or natural calamities besides providing services to destitute, orphans and needy people. He impressed upon all the officers to work in collective manner for this noble cause to generate and enhance the resources of District Red Cross Committee Samba.
Detailed discussions were held with regard to arrangements for uninterrupted power and water supply, security, sanitation, fire services, medicare at the venue during the Mela days.
The meeting was told that different stalls would be installed and offered to various Government and private agencies for displaying their products during the Mela days. For the purpose a subcommittee was to oversee the process of layout and allotment of space for stalls.
Among others ADC Samba, Inderjeet Singh, AC(R) M Y Malik, besides officers of various departments attended the meeting.