Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 7: The normal life across Kashmir remained affected in response to a strike call given by hardline senior separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, against the conviction of Kashmiri separatist leader Ghulam Nabi Fai by a US court last month.
Shops, businesses establishment and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar because of the shutdown.
Banks, post offices, Government offices, however, functioned in Srinagar city but the attendance was thin because of non-availability of public transport.
Private transport and some three-wheelers were plying in the city roads. However, their frequency in the old city area was very thin.
Reports reaching here from other district headquarters of Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Badgam said that shutdown affected normal life in these districts as well.
The shops and business establishments in these towns were also closed and traffic was minimal on the roads.
Meanwhile a police spokesman said here today that the call for strike for today called by a section of separatists evoked feeble response.
Police said that in most parts of Valley, the call had a marginal impact on the daily chorus of life. “It had no impact on the normal life in the districts of Bandipora, Kupwara and Uri town”, police said.
Police said that shops and other business establishments functioned partially in rest of the towns while private as well as some public transport was also seen plying on the roads in Srinagar city and some other towns.
Police said situation remained normal and under control. “There were no reports of any untoward incident from any place”, police added.
The authorities had made deployments of riot control squads and security forces at vulnerable places in the city and other towns of the Valley to avoid any disturbance.
Fai a resident of Wadwan, Budgam was charged in the US with spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.
Fai served as the Executive Director of the Kashmiri American Council, which described itself as a non-profit organization run by Kashmiris and funded by Americans.
But US authorities had said some of the Kashmiri American Council’s money came from Pakistan’s ISI, and that he failed to register as an agent of a foreign Government as required under US law.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Leader of Opposition in State Assembly and PDP chief Ms Mehbooba Mufti today accused the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and his party of raising the issue of withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to divert the peoples’ attention from the last year’s mysterious killing of Mohammed Yousf Shah, an NC activist.
“The PDP has initiated the process for revocation of AFSPA and our stand on it is clear but it is NC, which raised the issue only after Shah’s death to divert the attention of the people from his killing, Mehbooba told reporters here today along with Party MLC, Sarfaraz Khan.
The AFSPA issue was taken by PDP and NC leaders asked us to give it in writing which we agreed to do. They even asked that PDP leaders should withdraw their security first, she added.
Maintaining that interlocutors on Kashmir did a lot of work, by visiting every nook and corner of the State and meeting cross section of people including the leaders of political parties to ascertain their views on Kashmir issue, she said they (interlocutors) are aware of the Congress, National Conference (NC) and other political parties’ agenda but the agenda of the people behind the present movement in Kashmir is not known. So their report will serve no purpose till the agenda of the separatists is known, she added.
Mehbooba while ridiculing the NC leaders for accusing her party of raising non issues inside the legislature during its just concluded session said, her Party legislators raised the issues concerning the common man in both the houses. “We raised the issues of Bijli-Pani, rising corruption in the two houses which are concerning the common man”, she added.
She said the State Government has announced the amnesty for 5000 stone pelters undergoing detention on the occasion of Eid but till date only 402 were released on the basis of pick and choose. This was being done for corrupt practices and demanded that there should be general amnesty and no trial of cases before the magistrate.
She also accused the Government of re-employment of some retired officers at the age of 72 in violation of all norms and standing rules. “What is the fun of engaging these officers at a monthly salary of Rs 80,000 each” she asked?
She said on September 30, 2010 CM announced that one senior officer of State Government was involved in embezzlement and in the evening he was re-employed. The PDP will take the issues of mismanagement and corruption to people, she added.
Expressing concern over delay in Municipal Corporation and Urban Local bodies elections Mehbooba Mufti said that lakhs of names of voters especially youth are missing from electoral rolls. She also accused the Government of its total failure in empowering the Panchayts in the State and alleged that Panches and Sarpanches are in great desperation in Kashmir after recent attacks on them.
Accusing Delhi of patronizing the Omar Abdullah led Government she said the tainted official of JKCA was appointed by BCCI as manager of twenty-twenty in South Africa.
She said this Government has made fun of democratic institutions as the Constitutional Amendment Bill on which the PDP had assured full support, was passed in the House by 14 members when the two third majority of House was required for the passage of the Bill is 24 out of 32 members. This is a serious issue and Constitutional breach, she added.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Maintaining that Cross LoC trade is a major Confidence Building Measure (CBM) to bring the two neighboring countries close to each other, the Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs, A. R. Rather today called upon the External Affairs Ministries of India and Pakistan to broad base the trade by removing all impediments to make it a hassle free and mutually beneficial economic activity, adding that Cross LoC trade also involves cultural and emotional attachments of the people living on two sides of the borders.
“Not only Cross LoC trade but Cross-border travel restrictions also needed to be relaxed to remix divided families of the 1947 partition”, Mr. Rather said while speaking at a function organized to release, the first of its kind, survey report on Cross LoC Trade based on the opinion poll and experiences of the traders engaged with the trade.
The survey report has been formulated by the Indus Research Foundation (IRF), in association with the Centre for Peace, Development and Reforms based at Mirpur, PoK and supported by Conciliation Resources, a London based Peace-building organization.
Mr. Rather said people across the Indo-Pak borders are geographically and culturally akin to each other adding that time has proved that 6-long decades of manmade partition couldn’t diminish their emotional and cultural attachments. He said, given the significant developments on global liberalization, time is ripe, for the rulers of both sides, to ponder on the yearning among the people of two sides for peace and coherence and remove all the restrictions in the way of free movement and free trade across the borders.
Mr. Rather said a Banking Model has been proposed for facilitating banking service for LoC trade by the Department of Financial services, Government of India (GoI) to replace existing barter system, adding that the matter has been taken up with the Government of Pakistan for their consent.
Maintaining that the Cross Loc trade is gaining momentum as an important business activity, Mr. Rather said the State Government especially, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is very keen for opening more trade routes between two sides of the borders with adequate banking mechanism and tele communication facilities adding ISD facilities are already in place to the trades organization of both the sides and officers related to the Cross LoC trade.
The function was attended by a galaxy of economists, academicians, representatives of business chambers and key stake holders involved in the Cross LoC trade.

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 7: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said that the UPA Government headed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was providing funding for all round development of the state and the Coalition Government is committed to take maximum benefit from the central support by launching projects to develop all nooks and corners of the state. Addressing a public meeting at Khour. Mr. Tara Chand said that Government has provided adequate opportunities of development and other facilities to the people of rural areas. The education, health, road connectivity, PHE sectors remained areas of priority and massive development in these sectors has taken place, he added. People from Khour and adjoining areas assembled in large number at the public meeting and apprised the Deputy Chief Minister about their demands and grievances of their respective areas which mainly includes interrupted supply, regular drinking water, road connectivity, early completion of various development projects being executed in Khour and adjoining areas. Listening to the demands and grievances, Mr. Tara Chand assured the people for resolving their genuine demands and grievances on priority basis. He asked the officers to work with honesty and dedication and come up to the expectation of the people and mitigate their problems without any delay. Underscoring on need for close coordination between Panchayats and departments, Deputy Chief Minister said synergy between the two would result in better delivery and effective implementation of Government programs and policies. He called upon officers to consult members of Panchayats before taking up any project, adding that sarpanchs and panchs can give constructive inputs on field requirements of the area.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 6: The chain hunger strike launched by the PHE workers in support of their demands reached the 5th consecutive day here today.
The protest dharna, under the banner of  PHE Workers Welfare Association is continued at BC Road office complex of the PHE department. These agitating workers are demanding release of wages of all sorts of workers CP/ consolidated/ temporary workers at the rate of Rs 125 per day, payment of wages before 5th of every month regularly, clearance of backlog wages of the workers, regularization of daily rated workers who have completed five years of service and transfer of Class-IV employees within the sub-division.
They further demanded that left out categories be incorporated in SRO 59, the widow of the deceased daily rated workers be engaged in the department on compassionate grounds and the technical grade be given to the employees having such qualification. They condemned the higher authorities in the department for not taking note of the demands being projected by the employees/ workers. President of the Association Bakshi Singh urged the PHE Minister to solve the pending issues of the PHE workers otherwise, workers will be bound to launch ‘Kam Chor Hartal’ from April 20 for 24 hours, for which State Government will be responsible.
Addressing the workers, Subash Verma provincial general secretary of the Association alleged that Executive Engineer PHE Division Akhnoor has been forcing the workers to get the wages at the old rate of Rs 500, 700, 800 etc while these workers have already been paid at the rate of  Rs 125 on earlier occasions. He apprehended something fishy behind the scheme of things and asked the workers to turn down the offer of Executive Engineer because it was  most unfair and unjustified. He alleged that workers have been facing exploitation at the hands of such officers at the helm of affairs.
The other senior members of the association namely,  Lal Chand, Ramesh Chander, Raskesh Kumar, Sardari Lal, Bishamber Nath, Ram Parkash, Vijayant Kumar and Mumtaz Ali also addressed the gathering. Those who sat on chain hunger strike included Vijay Kumar, Paritam Lal, Ajit Lal, Ganesh Raj and Chua Ram.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 6: To review the arrangements being put in place for annual Darbar Move from Jammu, a high level meeting of Divisional and District Officers was convened by the Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal here today.
The meeting was attended by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, IGP Kashmir, S.M. Sahai and officers of Tourism, Information, Transport, Engineers of various disciplines.
The Chief Secretary was informed that Estates Department has arranged 1285 residential quarters out of which 780 are being provided to Darbar Move employees while 166 rooms are being allotted to senior officers by JKTDC at TRC, Kanposh and Heemal Hotels besides 43 huts in Cheshmashahi are also being acquired for the residential purposes for senior officers of the State. He was also informed that 115 hotels have been identified with the capacity of 3287 room.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned officers to speed up the all the under construction projects so that they are completed within the stipulated time for the convenience of move employees. He also directed officers to ensure uninterrupted and water supply, sanitation in quarters of move employees, roads and parks. He asked the CAPD authorities to make LPG cylinders available for Darbar Move employees from Jammu to Srinagar with elaborate security arrangements.
Later, Madhav Lal conducted detailed tour of Civil Secretariat and took stock of renovation works being carried out. He also inspected the newly constructed additional block in the Civil Secretariat premises. He also inspected the newly setup 6 offices and 3 meeting halls in the Civil Secretariat.

JAMMU, Apr 6 : Governor            N. N. Vohra today emphasized the need for greater coordination among the Universities of the State and extension agencies of the Government besides creating a corpus of scientists to share expertise and research findings and for convergence of initiatives to effectively meet the effects of climate change and take required measures for enhancing agri-productivity on sustainable basis.
The Governor was chairing the 7th University Council meeting of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, at Raj Bhavan, here today.
The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University, suggested that the larger objectives of the State would be far better served if the Vice Chancellors of all the Universities and major institutions of higher learning in J&K could establish effective coordination and carry through collaborative approaches in identified areas.
Reviewing the status of establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the Governor called for making the Kendras as nodal points for transfer of agri-technology from the labs to land and dissemination of improved agricultural practices for the speedy growth of agriculture and each of its allied sectors.
He stressed the importance of ensuring the establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras within envisaged time-lines, adding that if sustained coordinated efforts can be organized, there can be no difficulty in achieving a significantly high growth rate in agriculture production in the next 2-3 years. He also asked the University to propagate the model of integrated farming so that the small land holding farmers could achieve surpluses.
Referring to the vocational training courses being run by the Universities, the Governor stressed that the intake of youth for undergoing such short-term courses should be increased to enlarge their employability as also equipping them with necessary skills to set up their own ventures in the sectors like dairy, fish and poultry farming, food processing, vegetable and mushroom cultivation, apiculture, sericulture, etc.
To ensure against any further delay, the Governor urged the Agriculture Minister to early convene a meeting of all concerned authorities and arrive at an agreed approach to set up a multi-disciplinary Empowered Task Force for Water Management. The Governor advised that a similar Task Force approach could be adopted for the collection and analysis of all data relating to Agriculture and its allied sectors for evolving region, area and crop specific strategies for boosting production. He stressed the usefulness of drawing up a comprehensive Action Plan for transfer of requisite agricultural practices to enhance productivity and production of various crops in the rainfed areas of the State.
Minister for Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma put forth several suggestions for the growth of these sectors while as Minister for Agriculture, emphasized the need for greater coordination among the Farm Universities and the extension agencies of the Government for the growth of agriculture and its allied sectors in the State.
Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, emphasized the need for running courses in Dairy Technology by the Farm Universities of the State.
Dr. B. Mishra, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu, presented a detailed report on the status of teaching, research and extension activities undertaken by the University.
The meeting took stock of various research projects and other initiatives taken after the last meeting of the SKUAST, besides discussing other agenda items which included a review of the follow-up action in respect of various decisions taken in the last meeting.
The Council approved the two-tier Career Advancement Scheme for Non-Teaching employees of the University besides taking decisions on various other agenda items.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir; Dr. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore; M. I. Khandey, Principal Secretary, Finance; Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Shaleen Kabra, Commissioner/Secretary, Agriculture Production; and Dr. B. B. Gupta, Registrar, SKUAST, Jammu.

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 6: Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting today said that the Ministry is contemplating to introduce structural improvements for  strengthening the performance and reach of  different media units in the State.
Chairing a meeting of all the media units under Ministry here today, Mr Varma stressed the need of close coordination and synchronization to improve performance of the media units for effective results at grass root level. He said all the media units need to bring transparency and encourage work culture to flourish, for improving the information dissemination mechanism.
He said this would help in reaching out to the common masses with the information about the policies, programmes, achievements and initiatives of the Central Government, in a better way.
The Secretary also called for strengthening Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee (IMPCC) with the instruction to hold IMPCC meetings on monthly basis for better coordination.
Mr Varma informed the meeting that the Ministry is constituting Recruitment  Board & framing Rules within six months, for strengthening the Prasar Bharti Broadcasting Corporation of India (PBBCI). He assured the meeting that the issue of office accommodation for the media units other than Prasar Bharti will be looked into seriously and instructed the officers concerned to work out some temporary feasible arrangements.
The meeting was attended by L.R. Vishwanathan, Director S&DD, New delhi besides heads and representatives of local offices of AIR, DDK, PIB, DFP, S&DD, AIR/DDK (News) and Engineering wings.
Earlier, the Secretary chaired a similar meeting at Jammu. He also visited proposed site for High Power Transmitter of AIR & Doordarshan at Nathatop/Patnitop.
Mr Varma is on a four day official visit to J&K to review the issues pertaining to the working of all the media units under Ministry in the State.
The Secretary is scheduled to attend a Seminar on ‘TDSAT’ at SKICC on Saturday.

Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu Apr 6: Expressing deep concern at the lack of progress on taking forward the cross LoC trade and travel process, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today cautioned leadership of India and Pakistan against the serious pitfalls that could result from it.
“Credibility of the entire peace process is at stake and unless the two Governments come over the hawkish elements in each country to implement major decisions taken by them the painstakingly built effort could breed renewed cynicism in the state with serious implications” Mr Sayeed  said while addressing a gathering of people from Hiranagar, who joined PDP under the leadership of prominent Dalit leader Suraj Prakash here today.
PDP patron told the gathering,  on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the launch of historic Karvan-e-Amn between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, that the bus service between the two halves of the state was started after 58 years by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi from Srinagar on 7th April 2005 to facilitate the coming together of divided families, with a vision to extend it into regular travel and travel facility to break the decades long siege around the state.
Mufti said it was sad that the Governments of India and Pakistan had failed to implement the decisions taken by their Foreign Ministers more than a year back to carry forward the original vision of bringing the two sides closer through trade, travel, joint ventures and cultural exchanges. He said there was no reason as to why the two Governments should take so long to implement the decision to open more routes in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions, increase bus frequency, remove hassles in providing permits and more importantly extend the facility to all categories for tourism and pilgrimage purposes.
Referring to the situation that had prevailed in the state when the present peace process was launched by Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mufti said it had proved to be the most sustainable effort in the unhappy relationship between India and Pakistan only because it was primarily driven by the desire for peaceful resolution of the people of state.
“Vajpayee picked up the vibes from Srinagar correctly and embarked on a bold process amid clouds of war and the initial support it received from the UPA leadership broke the hardened mindsets of the security establishments which had held the state hostage for decades”, he said and called for employing similar statesmanship by the leadership to take it out of the groove it apparently has gone into. He said the tardy implementation of decisions could cause serious disillusionment among the people of the state who had started feeling its benefits even though in very small measure yet.
He said the trade across LoC is not just about exchanging ‘potatoes for pulses’ but it has an important historic, cultural and economic perspective. “PDP wants opening up of all traditional routes through Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil regions and lifting curbs on travel and trade to create an Economic Free Zone (EFC) across the state that with its tremendous natural resources could become one of the most affluent regions of the country”, he maintained. He said major hurdles had been crossed in this process by conceding important principles like travel on permits instead of passport and visa and trade without custom duties and it needed only fine tuning now in terms of the decisions taken by foreign ministers last year.