JAMMU, Mar 13: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is also holding portfolio of Information Department today said that 520 newspapers were being published from various districts across the State.
In a written reply to the question raised by the MLA Prof Chaman Lal Gupta seeking details of daily, weekly, fortnightly and other papers being published in the State, Omar said that 520 papers, including approved and not approved are being published in Jammu and Kashmir.
On criteria fixed for circulation of advertisement, he said, “the newspapers are categorized mainly on the basis of their circulation, tune, content, tenor, size and life of newspaper”, adding “the Government advertisements are issued in a judicious manner to all the newspapers approved by the Information Department without compromising the larger interests of the Government”.
“No quota of advertisements has been fixed for any newspaper but efforts are being made to release the advertisement on merit to the newspapers falling in a particular category,” he said.
JAMMU, Mar 13:The House today unanimously passed grants amounting to ` 94166.87 lakh for the year 2012-13 in favour of the departments under the charge of Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) and Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon.
After moving the demand for the grants, the Minister in his reply to debate in the House said that the State is getting 63067 metric tonnes of food grains per month from the Centre. He said the population of the State as per the 2001 census was 101.44 lakh i.e. about two lakh more than the estimated population as on March 1, 2000. The food grains allocated to the State is, therefore, not adequate to meet the requirements of the population of the state, he added.
Akhoon said that the requirement of ration as per the prevalent scale for the family units based on 2011 census come to 79560 tonnes against the current allocation of 63067 tonnes. The gap of 16500 tonnes is met by the state the additional allocation made by the Union Government from time to time. During the year 2011-12 the Union Government has made additional allocation of 108197 MTs of food grains, he added.
He said under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitrak Yojna, about 65 block level locations have been identified for setting up of new Gas Distribution Centers across the State in first phase. All other block headquarters will be covered in the IInd phase while as in the third phase all big villages will also be covered so that this modern fuel reaches every nook and corner of the State. This will not only reduce the scarcity of LPG, which has been witnessed in the recent past but will also save our natural resources like forests from exploitation, he added.
The Minister said that the process for bringing gas through pipeline to Jammu has begun and recently a team of Gujarat Petronet Limited was in Jammu to conduct survey as per the directions of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Regarding computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TDPS), Akhoon said that the State Government is committed for the modernization of the TPDS in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court, adding that under these directions the process involved in the system has to be computerized. He said that for end to end computerization system, an action plan has been prepared and sent to the Union Government. The project is envisaged to be completed at a cost of ` 74.12 crore during a period of three years commencing from 2011-12 to 2014-15. The project envisages computerization supply chain management, beneficiary authentication and distribution authentication, he said and added that the computerization of TPDS will not only bring in the much needed transparency in the working of the department but will also prevent pilferages and leakages.
Referring launching of the websites, the Minister said department could not have remained untouched by the winds of change brought in by the Right to Information Act and with a view to provide seekers the information free and at their own convenience, the department has launched three websites one in administrative department and two in the two divisions of Kashmir and Jammu.
Akhoon said that two toll free numbers for consumer grievance registration and redressal have been installed in two Directorates of CAPD. The complainant from any part of the State can log his complaint at 1800-180-7011 for which he will not be billed any call charges.
The Minister said that the construction of new godowns, for augmentation of storage capacity in the State is in full swing adding that 156 godowns including 95 in the Valley and 61 in Jammu division are under construction. Besides, these there are also 18 FCI godowns, 9 each in both divisions with a combined capacity of 96394 MTs, he said.
The Minister said that requirement is more in the remote and hilly areas and on its part the CAPD Department has proposed construction of Food storage godowns in rural as well as in urban areas during 12th five year plan on need basis. Besides, under the Private Entrepreneurship Guarantee (PEG) scheme of FCI, storage capacity of 3.62 lakh tones is approved by the High Level Committee in all the districts of the State.
In respect of safeguarding of consumer interests, the Minister said eight new district consumer forums, four each for Jammu and Kashmir divisions, were created. These forums are headed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge of each district as its ex-officio president. The Divisional Consumer Forums Jammu and Srinagar, too, have been converted into district consumer forums for the respective districts. He said consumer councils have also been constituted to suggest ways and means for redressal of consumer grievances.
Regarding procurement of farmers produce, Akhoon said to ensure remunerative price to the farmers for their produce, the FCI was motivated to enter the procurement business after taking up the matter with the Union Government. He said during Rabbi marketing season, about 12424 MT of paddy, rice were procured. This has encouraged farmers to come forward with their produce in larger numbers and save themselves from the exploitation by unscrupulous traders, the Minister added.
The Minister said after the enactment of Public Service Guarantee Act 6113 cases were disposed off by the department within the stipulated period and seven review meetings were held at the divisional level for implementation of the said Act.
About State Transport Corporation, the Minister said that the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) as of now is passing through a revival phase. He said the Corporation has experienced a major cut in its employment strength by introducing Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) and by weeding out the outdated vehicles and buses which used to be run at huge maintenance cost and fuel consumption. He said a series of management reforms have also been introduced and the responsibilities of the management have been made specific to each separate department in the SRTC. This, he said, has given results and the losses of the corporation have substantially come down.
Mr. Akhoon said that the corporation achieved historic operational revenue of ` 58.37 crore during first 9 months of the financial year 2011-12 with historic high monthly revenue of ` 8.29 crores during July 2011.
During the year, the corporation purchased 81 vehicles out of plan funds allocated for the year, 2011-12 together with auction realization of ` 4.87 crore.
Earlier, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Abdul Haq Khan, Ashok Kumar, Dr. Mustafa Kamaal, Bharat Bhushan, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Harshdev Singh, Niazam-ud-Din Bhat, G. M. Saroori, T. Namgyal, Rafi Ahmad Mir, Lal Chand, Krishan Chander Bhagat, Bimla Luthra, Ch. Zulafkar Ali, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Bakar Rasool, Feroz Ahmad Khan, Irfan Shah, Ch. Sukhnandan, Abdul Majid Wani, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain, Basharat Bukhari, Mohammad Sharief Niaz and Mohammad Ashraf participated in the discussion on demands for Grants.
Most of the members called for making adequate stocking of ration and other essentials in hilly and far-off areas of the State particularly for winter months to meet the requirement. The members suggested the Government to take up the matter of enhancement of ration quota as per fresh Census to meet the increased requirement.
They also suggested for strengthening the transport services in hilly, remote and uncovered areas and sought measures to check the frequent road accidents.
All The members who had moved the cut motions withdrew the same after the satisfactory reply from the Minister.
JAMMU, Mar 13: The much publicized multi-crore Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association scam rocked the Upper House of the Legislature as the heated exchanges between National Conference and PDP members, protests and continued sloganeering disturbed the proceedings, forcing Chairman to adjourn the House amidst complete pandemonium and uproar today.
It happened not only once but twice that too during the `Question Hour’ and the repeated efforts of Chairman of the House, Amrit Malhotra failed to restore order in the House of Elders. Today National Conference members took the lead and dominated the opposition PDP members, seeking privilege motion against the PDP member Murtaza Ahmed Khan for his remarks against the former J&K Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah. The NC members pressed for the directions from the `Chair’ against PDP member.
The trouble started in the Legislative Council, immediately after the House commenced its scheduled business with ‘Question Hour’ at 11 am. The Chairman asked the lone NPP member, Syed Mohd Rafiq Shah to raise his question regarding encroachment on Forest land. The Minister incharge Mian Altaf was there in the House to reply. National Conference member Devinder Singh Rana stood up and pleaded the Chairman, seeking privilege motion against the PDP member, Mr Khan for his remarks against Dr Farooq Abdullah. All the NC members including Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy, Javid Rana, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Vijay Bakaya, Master Noor Hussain, DS Oberoi, Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri and Ghulam Qadir Pardesi joined Devinder Singh Rana and pressed for the ruling from the `Chair’.
Mr Rana further pleaded the Chairman to save the House from becoming a ‘fish market’ and ensuring the sanctity of the House. He said Dr Abdullah has nothing to do with the proceedings here and his name was being wrongly dragged into the issue. He is not the member of this house and he was not here to defend him. Therefore, it was most unfair to raise allegations against him since he was unable to defend himself. Ajay Kumar Sadhotra and Suhrawardy raised the issue of the killings of the, Mirwaiz and Ghulam Nabi Lone. Pointing towards PDP members Mr Sadhotra shouted, “Mera Moonh Mat Khulwaiye. Hum Katilana Siyasat Mein Yakin Nahin Rakhte, …. Mirwaiz Aur Gulam Nabi Lone Ko Kis Ne Mara, Is Pe Bhi Inquiry Honi Chahiye,’’ he shouted.
These remarks further irked the PDP members and then Ashraf Mir, Murataza Ahmed Khan and Nizamuddin Khatana opened salvo against the NC. They alleged that every body knows about the ‘killer’ of Haji Yousuf. Aap Kab Tak Bacha Payoge Katilon Ko, Bahut Zor Laga Rahe Ho Bachane Ke Liye Lekin Sachai Logon Ke Samne Tao Aa Hi Jayegi’’. Both the sides continued to fire salvo on each other and the process of allegations and counter- allegations continued.
The NPP member was raising question and reply papers, repeatedly pleading the members to allow him to raise issue of Gujjars and Bakerwals. Since both the sides were busy in raising allegations and counter-allegations nothing was audible at all. He got furious and agitated and alleged that entire House has been taken for a ride. It has turned into fish market and he is not being allowed to raise question. Then he moved towards the Chairman with the help of his stick and laid down in the main passage on the floor, just closer to the `Well’ in front of Chairman, raising slogans,“ Tana Shahi Nahin Chalegi , Goondagardi Nahin Chalegi, Hai Hai Ji Hai Hai……’’ and so on. It was a total chaos and confusion prevailing in the House. On the direction of the Chairman, Rafiq Shah was marshaled out while laying on the floor. The Chairman then adjourned the House for half an hour at around 11.13 am.
As the House resumed the business at 11.43 am again, the NC members led by Mr Sadhotra and Devinder Rana pressed for the privilege motion and sought ruling from the Chairman. The Chairman said that they should raise the issue after Question Hour or move prior notice in this regard. Mr Rana then claimed that he had already moved privilege notice in this regard. The Chairman however, said that he has not received it. “Let me examine and then I will be able to take decision,’’ he added.
All the NC members pressed for the immediate ruling on the issue and moved towards the Well. Rafiq Shah had stood again with his question. Then he started raising slogans, “Gujron Aur Paharhiyon Ke Dushman, Hai Hai, …….’’. It was complete uproar in the House again. The NC members moved more closer to the Well pressing for privilege motion and raising medium slogans. Amidst uproar and noise, the Chairman then adjourned the House for the rest of the day at 11.50 am.
JAMMU, Mar 13: Electricity Department has taken exception to non-clearance of pending electricity bills from several areas falling under the jurisdiction of Electric EM&RE Division-III, Jammu and warned to disconnect supply if they did not deposit their power bills within one week.
The Executive Engineer Electric M&RE Division-III, Jammu, has stated that there were huge outstanding of electricity bills of consumers and the concerned public was not coming forward to deposit even at the fag end of the financial year.
In Jammu West area the consumers of Ban Talab, Rajpura, Gole Gujral and Domana have not cleared their dues while in Bhalwal block the consumers of Kot Bhalwal, Aghore, Gharota, Garkhal, Simbliwala and Dharamkhoo are yet to clear their pendinf power bills.
The power bills are also pending in Marh and Gajansoo areas of Marh block while the villages under Akhnoor block from where the power bills are yet to be recovered included Rabta, Mathwar, Sarote, Dori-Dager, Balli, Nathal, Kathar, migrant colonies of Gurha Jagir and Naiwala. In Khour block the people of Pargwal, Hamirpur, Pangali, Derian, Bhopar, Datyal, Nikkian and border areas of Khour are yet to clear their pending power bills.
The Executive Engineer concerned has warned that the power connection of all the people would be disconnected, if they failed to deposit their pending electricity charges within one week. He also stated that no further notice would be issued in this regard.
He added that to facilitate the general public in the matter, all the offices of Electrical Department of these areas would remain open on all holidays, including Sundays till March 31, 2012 and that J&K Bank branches are accepting all Electricity Bills even after expiry of their due date.
SAMBA, Mar 13:A ‘Barati’ was found dead on the road when he was returning after attending a marriage function on his motor-cycle in Ramgarh area last night.
The police sources said that 40-year-old Ranbir Singh, son of Teja Singh of village Pakhri in Ramgarh had gone to attend a marriage function at Bane Chak. After attending the function, he was returning home on his bike at around 11.30 pm. As he did not return after long, the family members and other relatives started search for him. Later, he was found on the road side and his bike lying nearby. He was immediately shifted to Ramgarh hospital where he was declared as dead.
It could not be ascertained whether he was hit by some vehicle, slipped on the road or done to death by some body and thrown on the road. The police registered a case and started investigation. The body after postmortem was handed over to the family.
JAMMU, Mar 13: The campus of Jammu University (JU) today witnessed a clash as group of irritated students resorted to heavy stone pelting on police personnel.
To control the situation police opened lathicharge on the students. The clash between the two sides continued for nearly two hours wherein 18 people including Nehru Market Police Post Incharge and five other cops received injuries.
Two students of Law Department Talib Hussain and Murtaza were taken to Government Medical College. Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor has ordered inquiry into the whole incident.
A five member committee has been constituted and its has been asked to submit the report within 15 days. The committee will be headed by Dean Education Prof Lokesh Verma.
The other members included Director of the The Law School Prof Kulwant Singh, Director of the Physical Education Directorate, Prof D S Bhau, Prof Varsha Mehta of The Business School and Assistant Registrar Academic Affairs.
As per eye witnesses, the trouble erupted in the office block of Controller Examination where a group of students from Law Department had gone to inquire some matter. The concerned clerk asked them to come in queue from window side as the office was crowded with students who had come there to submit examination forms. The students objected to behaviour of clerk and indulged in verbal duel.
Soon after they exchanged blows with each other. The security personnel deployed there when tried to intervene were also subjected to thrashing.
The non-teaching employees strongly objected to the behaviour of students and left their work in protest. The students also assembled outside the office and started protest.
As soon as the other security personnel reached the spot, the clash started. Police guard used force to clear the rush on which the scuffle broke out.
Very soon the irritated students started to stone pelting and damaged the University property. Thereafter, additional police force was called in the campus. University main gate was kept closed for some time. Police chased the stone pelting students and arrested nearly dozen of them. Later all of them were released. The situation came under control at around 5 p.m.
JAMMU, Mar 13: Day curfew was lifted in Rajouri town today following improvement in the situation even as dialogue between the two communities was on to restore calm in the trouble-torn area.
“We have lifted curfew from 8 am in the border town in view of improvement in the situation,” Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri GA Khwaja said, adding night curfew would remain in force for the time being.
“No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in the district so far and the situation is under control,” he said.
In view of improvement in the situation, the authorities had relaxed curfew for eight-hour yesterday.
To restore normalcy in the town, leaders of the two communities met here in the presence of Industry and Commerce Minister Surjeet Singh Slathia and Minister of State for Power Shabir Khan. Initially, they met the Ministers separately and then collectively.
Senior police and civil officials were also present at the meeting.
The minorities insisted on arrest of the persons involved in attack on their religious Bhairav procession before opening their shops. The Ministers assured them that law will take its course as FIRs have been registered.
The minorities didn’t open their shops during curfew relaxation demanding immediate arrest of those, who instigated and attacked their religious procession.
“Several meetings with leaders of both the communities were held to resolve the matter. The religious heads also made appeals to the people to maintain calm,” official sources said.
Curfew was clamped on the town on last Wednesday after some unidentified persons pelted stones at a religious procession, prompting security personnel to burst tear gas shells to disperse them.
The stone-hurlers were protesting against VHP national working president Praveen Togadia’s recent remarks, which, they alleged, had hurt sentiments of a particular community.
JAMMU, Mar 13: On the eve of forthcoming Municipal Corporation and other local body elections, BJP has raised serious questions and objections to discrepancies, errors and possible manipulations in the voter lists and voter cards which, if not rectified, will turn these elections into a big farce.
Addressing a press conference at party headquarters here today, National Executive Member and J&K Chief Spokesperson Dr Jitendra Singh produced documentary evidence with papers and print-outs to show that in certain areas and wards, either the voter lists were not available and if available these were printed in such font or script that these were not legible. In cases where the voter lists were available and also legible, the information provided about name, age, parentage or residential address was either inadequate or erratic, he added.
Dr. Singh said that in the absence of proper voter lists and voter cards, the National Conference-Congress coalition Government is exposed to the charge of being dishonest in its decision to hold fair and free elections to local bodies and that the entire electoral exercise is being carried out with the ulterior motive of securing over 300 crore worth Central grant in the name of local bodies which would later be subject to embezzlements and misappropriations as has been happening in the past.
Referring to voter identification cards, Dr. Singh reminded the administration that it is not mere a voter card but as per the statutes of Indian Constitution, voter card is notified as one of the identity proofs for every citizen of India like other identity proofs such as passport, driving licence etc. Therefore, even partly incorrect information in voter card could land the citizen in trouble while undergoing a security check and could also be challenged in court of law.
Dr. Singh said that the BJP has right from the beginning already taken several other exceptions to the local body elections and demanded implementation of 74th Amendment of Constitution if the Government is sincerely committed to the genuine empowerment of local bodies. Not only this, the party has also pointed out discrimination in increasing the number of Wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation to 75 but leaving the number of Wards in Jammu Municipal Corporation unchanged, he added.
Flanked by former Mayor Kavinder Gupta and BJP Jammu district president Rajesh Gupta, Dr. Jitendra Singh displayed fallacious voting lists to cameramen and said the people need to be made aware of the fraud being played on them.
JAMMU, Mar 13: The Agri technocrats appointed as Rehbar-e-Zirat today protested and blocked Tawi bridge for over 30 minutes in support of their demand of regularization.
They also jostled with the police and broke the cardon at Press Club in their attempt to block the Tawi bridge in protest against the Government’s callous attitude towards their demand after police foiled their attempt to take a march towards Civil Secretariat.
The irate agri technocrats raising slogans in support of their demands warned to continue agitation till the goal is achieved.
Earlier hundreds of the technocrats assembled at Press Club in their bid to move towards Civil Secretariat but their bid was foiled by the police who were deployed in large numbers near the Press Club to deal with the situation. The police had also erected barricades on the road.
Agitated over police action the irate technocrats jostled with police and raising slogans they rushed towards the Tawi bridge and blocked the traffic for over 30 minutes. Later they dispersed peacefully.
The Socialist Democratic Party president, Dr Darkshan Andrabi along with her supporters also joined the demonstration. She, while extending full support to the technocrats in their ongoing struggle criticized the Government’s callousness towards them.
She accused the Government of its total failure in settling their problem of regularization. She said SDF will fully back the technocrats in their struggle. She urged the Government to take an early decision on their demand and fulfill the commitment made with their leadership.
Besides her former corporator and BJP leader Sheela Handoo also joined the demonstration.
President of J&K Agriculture Technocrats Association Surinder Radhotra said the Rehbar-e-Zirat were demanding justice but the Government is ignoring their demand of regularization and warned that they will continue the agitation till their demand of regularization on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem is met.
He said the Agri technocrats will not budge an inch from their stand and are committed to take the ongoing struggle to it’s logical conclusion.
Khurshid Ahmed president J&K Agriculture Technocrats United Forum while addressing gave an ultimatum to the government that if it failed to settle the demand by March 31, the Agri technocrats will intensify the agitation and the government will be responsible for all consequences.
JAMMU, Mar 13:Governor N. N. Vohra today called upon corporate and business houses, philanthropic organizations and affluent sections of the society to contribute generously for enlarging the resource base to give greater fillip to the Red Cross activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Governor was speaking after felicitating the supporters and sponsors for encouraging support extended by them during the Red Cross Mela and the Raffle Draw organized by the Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu, in October last year, at a felicitation function held at Raj Bhawan here this evening.
Referring to his long association with the Red Cross movement, the Governor observed that this organization has a very rich history of doing valuable missionary work in our country, particularly during natural calamities and other emergent situations, by providing the required support and succour to the needy. He added that there is no dearth of affluent people in Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized upon one and all to come forward in a big way and contribute for this noble cause to expand the orbit of Red Cross activities.
The Governor was presented a painting by Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, who is the Chairman, Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu, as a memento. The painting is the work of Subash Langeh, a known artist from Jammu.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, said that over ` 10.3 lakh were raised by organizing the Red Cross Mela and Raffle Draw in October last year. He said that since 2008, Red Cross Melas are being organized regularly with a view to raise funds for the needy and the sponsors and supporters have been helping the organization in securing this objective. He threw light on the activities to be carried out during the Red Cross Mela to be organized this year.
Anil Padha, Hony Secretary, Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu, presented a vote of thanks.
Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was present on the occasion.
The awardees include Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone; Inspector BSF, Jammu; IG CRPF, Jammu; Deputy Commissioners of Kathua, Samba, Rajouri and Udhampur; Chairman, J&K Bank; Director School Education, Jammu; Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), Jammu; Chief Education Officers of Kathua, Udhampur, Doda and Jammu; Deputy Commissioner, KV Sangathan, Jammu; Principal Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, and Principal Government College Women, Parade Ground, Jammu.
Other awardees were Managing Director, Saraswati Plastotech India Ltd, Bari Brahamana, Jammu; President, J&K Kabaddi Association; Managing Director Jamkash Vehicleades, Jammu; Managing Director, K. C. Motors, Jammu; President, Bari-Brahmana Industries Association; Cluster Head, Big 92.7 FM, Jammu; and Principal, Shangrilla Public School, Sarwal, Jammu.
