Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: As per an order issued here today by District Magistrate (DM), Sanjeev Verma, all the inbound passenger vehicles/buses have been directed to absolutely refrain from idle parking inside the general bus stand and after disembarking the passengers in the general bus stand, these should immediately proceed towards available parking space at Khanpur Nagrota. Any violation of these directions will invite strict action under law, including heavy penalty and in case of repeated violations, registration/route permit of such vehicles will be cancelled.
It is worthwhile to mention here that Chairman of High Powered Committee (HPC), constituted by the High Court, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu has issued directions for removing the idle vehicle, which otherwise, create serious congestion at the general bus stand.
Further more, a committee of officers comprising Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, VC JDA Jammu, SSP Jammu, SSP (Traffic), Jammu, Deputy Transport Commissioner, Jammu and RTO Jammu has also been constituted to ensure shifting of idle parking of buses from the general bus stand to Khanpur Nagrota, in the first phase to decongest the General Bus Stand.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: BJP today demanded immediate action against State revenue officers allegedly involved in the sale of defence land adjacent to the high-security Srinagar airport.
A party deputation led by national secretary Kirit Somaiya and State president Shamsher Singh Manhas called on Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand here to demand action at a time when the State Government was allegedly dragging its feet over the issue.
“Such a big scam could not have taken place without the connivance of certain officials in the revenue department for which it is the obligation of the Government to take necessary action,” Somaiya said.
Somaiya also claimed that he referred to his meeting with Defence Minister A K Antony following which the false NOCs issued by certain defence officials for the land adjoining Srinagar Airport had been referred for cancellation.
Meanwhile, Manhas raised concern over the alleged encroachment of land which had been facilitated by bifurcating the Tawi lake.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: A delegation of J&K College Teachers Association today met Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik and expressed concern over the delay in issuance of the long pending orders under Career Advancement Scheme.
Minister assured the delegation that the placement orders affecting more than 500 college teachers of the State will be issued at the earliest.
Regarding the recommendation of PSC to give effects to placements from the date of completion of orientation/ refresher courses, instead of the actual due date of placement as was done earlier, Malik stated that the department has asked PSC to reconsider the issue on light of earlier placement order.
Among others present were Dr Satesh Bhan, general secretary, Prof RS Jamwal, Prof BK Gandhotra, Dr Neeraj Gupta and Dr CK Khajuria.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 4: One-day convention of College and University teachers of the Northern States was held in Chandigarh under the aegis of All India Fedration of University and Colleges Teachers Organisations (AIFUCTO). It was hosted by Punjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) in connection with the Goldern Jubilee year of AIFUCTO.
A delegation of College Teachers, representing J&K State was led by Dr Avinash Kumar Gupta, president, J&K CTA (Jammu wing) along with Dr Vijay Kumar Sharma (advisor), Prof Ranjeet Singh Jamwal (vice president) and Dr Neeraj Gupta (joint treasurer) attended the convention.
In the meeting it was felt that the State Government do not understand the policy perspective of UGC and Government of India, which has been reflected in non implementation of UGC notifications by the State Governments. Dr Avinash Kumar Gupta pointed out that API score guidelines need to be reviewed for college teachers, in view of the fact that facilities for conducting research work in the colleges still does not exist.
Further, UGC deadlines for orientations/refresher courses should be extended, as it was not possible for teachers to attend the same during the academic sessions. It was unanimously decided to form a coordination committee of University and Colleges teachers to take up the issues with the UGC and HRC ministry.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 5: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Tuesday approved the holistic project of revitalization of Shahr-e-Khas (Old Srinagar City) focusing on its natural, cultural, craft and built heritage. He also gave nod to the project involving Rs. 24 crore for constructing of a 2 kilometre pedestrian Tourist Trail from Nawakadal to Cement Kadal (Chattabal) to develop craft bazaars, retail outlets, refreshment kiosks, production centres and other facilities. The main street will be pedestrian and if found feasible battery operated vehicles can be allowed along the street.
Taking presentation of the roadmap prepared under his directions for the holistic development of Shahr-e-Khas including promotion of craft clusters in 10 identified locations, at a high level meeting here, the Chief Minister also directed for working out a strategy for developing housing colonies for people living in congested areas of old Srinagar city.
Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary Planning, B. B. Vyas, various Commissioner Secretaries and senior officers were present in the meeting.
Omar Abdullah said that the main objective of the new development concept translated into a holistic project for revitalization of Shahr-e-Khas is aimed at providing necessary succour to a large population of artisans by developing craft clusters, generating economic activities, encouraging tourist flow, developing palatable lung places and upgrading basic amenities alongwith beautification of the historic Srinagar city.
The Chief Minister said that involvement of Tourism and Housing and Urban Development Departments should be factored in the overall roadmap aimed at comprehensive development of Shahr-e-Khas and the artisans. He stressed on dovetailing the efforts to obtain effective and meaningful results within the fixed time frame.
The new concept for construction of Heritage Craft Tourist Trail from Nawakadal to Cement Kadal (Chattabal) and construction of River Front Craft Plaza has been derived from the existing similar heritage sites established in Muscat (Oman), New York, China (Chengdu) and Sabermati (India). The project also involves upgradation of the street pavement, covering of drains, laying of sewer lines, underground electric cabling, development of litterbins at every 200 meters, solar street lights at every 200 meters, street furniture and signages, refreshment kiosks, public conveniences, diagnostic clinics and about half dozen ghats and access points to river Jhelum.
The Chief Minister also received presentation pertaining to development of craft clusters in Jamia Masjid, Safakadal-Qamarwari, Idgah, Noorbagh, Chattabal, Soura, Zadibal, Boatpora,-Suhama and Kanchan Peerpora.
Speaking in the meeting, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that there is need to bring Habba Kadal, Chinkral Mohalla, Fateh Kadal, Khankhahi Mohalla, Bohri Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Maharaj Gunj, Hawal, Zadibal and other core areas of Shahr-e-Khas in the overall roadmap being prepared for the development of Shahr-e-Khas.
The Chief Minister directed for incorporating all these areas in the main project, adding that details for operationalizing various components of the project should be discussed with Housing and Tourism Departments to dovetail efforts. He also directed for factoring in Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s schemes for artisan development.
Earlier, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal said that under the Chief Minister’s directives 4 initiatives of Installing Traffic Signals, Operationalizing Radio Taxies, Water Transport and Development of Artisan Clusters were given green signal for launching and considerable headway has been achieved on all these initiatives.
Meanwhile, Mr Omar, who is also Chairman of J&K Skills Development Mission reviewed the progress on various initiatives introduced under the Mission to upgrade skills of J&K youth and enhance their employability to get absorbed in job market.
The Chief Minister said that the concerned State Government Departments should take up the matter of roping in NHPC, Railways, National Highway Authority, State Power Development Corporation, JKPCC, J&K Bank and other similar companies to set up ITIs under their corporate social responsibilities towards the society. He said they can train youth of Jammu and Kashmir in these ITIs in the trades in which they need work force. “This would ensure placement of educated boys and girls in these companies”, he said.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Technical Education, R. S. Chib, Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretaries, B. B. Vyas, Sudhanshu Pandey, Administrative Secretaries of various departments and senior officers.
In a PowerPoint presentation, the Planning Commissioner gave overview of the roadmap put in place for achieving the target of upgrading skills of 9.10 lakh youth during the next five years. He gave sector-wise targets fixed for this purpose and the strategy worked out by various departments to realize this target.

IFS Probationers call on Vohra
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 5: A group of 34 Indian Forest Service Probationers from the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, currently on a 6-day Hill Tour to Jammu and Kashmir, called on N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan here this evening.
The Governor, while interacting with the group of IFS Probationers of 2011 batch, observed “we must protect our forest wealth as it is very important for the survival of life on planet earth”. He stressed that the preservation of forests is deeply connected with environment and ecology and the issues of climate change as well as sustainable development.
Replying to the queries of the Probationers on a wide range of subjects, the Governor observed that the unfortunate situation that prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir in the past years resulted not only in huge human and economic losses but also caused a severe damage to forest wealth.
He said that with the return of normalcy, greater attention is now being devoted to the conservation and regeneration of forests in the State. The Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, referred to the initiatives being taken by the Board for the conservation and promotion of green cover in the entire Shrine area in the Trikuta Hills.
Urging the future Forest Administrators to work with dedication for the conservation of forests, the Governor said that there is urgent need for devising appropriate strategies to effectively deal with the issue of man-animal conflicts.
The Governor enquired from the IFS Probationers the places they have had visited so far in J&K and other States during their tour and shared with them his own experiences of working in the high altitude areas in the years past.
A memento was presented to the Governor on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, on this occasion.
Anu Nagar, Associate Professor, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, briefing the Governor said that the main objective of the Officers’ Hill Tour is to familiarize the IFS Probationers with the latest forest management practices and expose them to varied eco-systems.
Vinod Ranjan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, were present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 5 : Ajay Chadha, Special Secretary, Internal Security, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, called on N. N. Vohra, Governor at Raj Bhavan here today. He was accompanied by K. Skandan, Joint Secretary (Kashmir), Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
During their meeting, Mr. Chadha briefed the Governor about his aerial reconnaissance of the Amarnathji yatra route and the deployments being made for providing effective security arrangements for this year’s yatra, which is scheduled to commence on 25th June, along both the Chandanwari and Baltal routes.
The Governor also discussed with Mr. Chadha about the importance of traffic being effectively regulated during the yatra period, which would also be the peak tourist arrival season. The latter informed the Governor that he had duly reviewed this matter and additional security forces were being provided to the State for effective arrangements.
Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, was present in the meeting.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: In order to carry out the work for erection of 33 KV Isolator and Branch cutting, the power supply to Bathindi, Sunjwan, Transport Nagar, Fruit Mandi, Railway Station and adjoining areas will remain affected on June 06, 2012 from 6 a m to 9 a m.
According to Superintending Engineer, Electronic Maintenance & RE Circle-I, Jammu, the shutdown is subject to fair weather conditions.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: All Government institutions including recognised private schools upto Higher Secondary Level falling in the summer zone of Jammu Division will observe summer vacation with effect from 11 June, 2012 to 31st July.
Any default on the part of Private Schools in observance of the calendar of vacation will attract action under rules.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 5: Refugees from Pak Occupied Kashmir, now residing in different parts of Jammu region, held massive protest demonstration and then courted arrest at Bakshi Nagar here today.
A large number of members of refugee families from Bhimber, Chhamb, Deva Batala, Kotli, Mirpur, Muzaffrabad etc assembled under the banner of PoK Refugee Front 1947, 1965, 1971 at Maheshpura Chowk near Govt Medical College, Bakshi Nagar and held protest demonstration. They were carrying banners and placards depicting their demands in their hands.
Led by its president and general secretary, Rashpal Singh Chib, the refugee members including large number of women, also took out a protest rally. Both the refugee leaders addressed the gathering and criticized Omar Abdullah led Coalition Government for ignoring the issues of the refugees from PoK. They alleged that not only, NC but PDP and Congress has also duped these refugees and for the last many decades they are still waiting for comprehensive settlement.
Mr Chib in his address claimed that Omar led Government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-committee to prepare a report for implementation of autonomy in the State which may empower him to become Prime Minister of the State and seek appointment of Governor of his choice. Both the Valley based parties have their agenda to call back over 5 lakh evacuees of 1947 to the State and destablize over 20 lakhs refugees living in this part of the State. NC and PDP would never want to do justice with refugees. Moreover, Congress has only offered lip sympathy with refugees. He appealed all the refugees from State to get united and wage a collective fight to get justice.
Later, in the shape of rally, nearly 200-250 refugees moved to the Bakshi Nagar Police Station after passing through main market and courted arrest. However, they were let off soon.