Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: Kulgam police has started a drive to destroy poppy cultivation in the district. The drive against the poppy cultivation was kicked of yesterday by the district police administration destroyed poppy cultivation spread over about 10 Kanals of land at different patches of land in villages Awgaam, Sangus, Poniwa, Laroo and Kanipora in the jurisdiction of police station Kulgam.  SP Kulgam said that the drive will be intensified in the coming days.

‘Project to be completed by November 2016’

Srinagar: For the first time , a construction major has used a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for digging nearly 15 kilometer long tunnel for Kishanganga hydroelectric power project here in valley, a development which could help in providing all-weather connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir in future.According to the press handout issued the day-lighting of the 14.75 km long tunnel was achieved yesterday after the work started on it in May 2001. The 330 MW Kishanganga project, located on river Kishanganga, a tributary of river Jhelum, is being constructed by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), in a joint venture with Halcrow Group Ltd for the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd. (NHPC). The breakthrough in the first phase of the tunnel with a diameter of 5.4 m from the powerhouse side was achieved by the TBM and rest of the 8.9 km, having six metre diameter from the dam side is being constructed using the conventional Drill and Blast Method.  “It is a first such feat in the mighty Himalayan range and Jammu and Kashmir has taken the honour. Officials said that TBMs can be used for digging in mountainous state in future for providing all-weather connectivity.According to the officials TBM had never run successfully in the Himalayas and it was the first time that there was no problem in it. “It is for the first time that the TBM has run successfully in the Himalayas. We have achieved the progress in less time than we had targeted. We We had a target of 300 m in a month, but we achieved an average of 4400 m per month. We have created a record in the country by drilling 815 m in a month,” they said. Adding that the success in the project here has given a lot of confidence to the NHPC to use the TBM in other projects in the country.  The director said there were a lot of difficulties in executing the project as tunnelling was adversely affected by geological problems.

“It passes through Andesite, phyllitic quartzite, meta siltstone and meta sandstone rock types through rock cover ranging from 400 m to 1407 m. Tunnelling in high rock cover zone to the extent of 1400 m is a real challenge due to squeezing and other geological problems,” official said. Press handout adds that NHPC will install a 2 MW plant near the dam to benefit the local population. The project is run of the river scheme and involves transfer of water of Kishanganga River in Gurez valley to Bonar nallah near Bandipora.  The contract of the project is on a turnkey basis valued at approximately Rs 2726.49 crore.

Srinagar: Traffic Police Srinagar-Jammu Highway will introduce GPS tracking network among the vehicles which will help the Traffic Hqrs. Ramban to coordinate the deployment in a better and purposeful manner on day to day basis

 The introduction of GPS technology will also help in knowing the details of the duties carried out by the ground staff, the movement of the officers and response time taken to attend a public/traffic issue on the Highway.

According to government statement this will make the officers more responsive and accountable. GPS tracking network among these vehicles will help the Traffic Hqrs. Ramban to coordinate the deployment in a better and purposeful manners on day to day basis. Further, it will help to reduce the inconvenience to the road users by way of jamming, breakdown and accidents.

Traffic Police Highway intend to reach out to the people particularly the road users (Drivers/Passengers/Transporters etc), so that they may note the Cell Nos. of the officers deployed along Highway and call the nearest officer for any sort of traffic assistance, complaints and other grievances. The intention of introducing CUG is mainly to reduce the inconvenience to the general public/road users.

 Road safety is fast becoming a concern for all of us. As per a survey around 1, 28,000 people died in different road accidents across India in 2013, whereas the figure is around 1.5 million people across the globe.

In Jammu & Kashmir alone 990 plus people have died in 2013 in different road accidents. Traffic Police National Highway is looking after the traffic management in District Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Reasi which include NHW1A/1B and large network of rural roads.

Since it is evident that the traffic flow on NHW1A/1B is increasing day by day which is posing a challenge for Traffic Police deployed on NHW1A/1B. In an attempt to enhance the public outreach programme, so as to offer timely assistance, redresses to the grievances and public feedback, a permanent mechanism of having identifying Cell Nos. for every post/officer, the CUG network has already been established by the Traffic Police Hqrs. Ramban. The CUG system is bound to help the public in larger interest and will act as a strong feedback mechanism for the Traffic Police National Highway.

Twenty (20) vehicles of Traffic Police deployed with SSP Traffic NHW Ramban, Dy.SsP Traffic Ramban, Banihal, Doda-Ktr, Udhampur-Reasi, DTI Ramban, Banihal, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Katra, Sector Officer Ramban, Kud, Batote and even three Recovery Cranes have been fitted with “Hi-Tech GPS Tracking Devices” so that the exact location of these vehicles is traced in real time and they can be directed to address the trouble spots, jamming points, accident spots etc in a shortest possible time.

Srinagar: The police drug de-addiction centre in efforts to educate young generation about ill effects of drug abuse organized two awareness programmes at Government Girls Higher Secondary school Soura and Scholars School Dhara, Harwan.

According to a statement issued to GNS, a team of professionals comprising of Zahid Jeelani Wani (counseling psychologist) and Haris Abrar Kashmiri (psychiatric Social worker) conducted two awareness programmes in which more than 400 students and staff members participated.

Haris Abrar highlighted scenario of drug abuse in Kashmir. He also highlighted the school mental health initiative taken by Jammu and Kashmir police.

Zahid Jeelani spoke about the drug addiction and its preventive measures. He also highlighted the causes and ill effects of drugs in different domains of life. He also spoke about the stress and its management.

Later on the 24×7 Stress Management Helpline number was shared with the students. The school authorities thanked the police for conducting such awareness programmes. (GNS)

Srinagar: N.N. Vohra, Governor has expressed regret and serious concern after being informed about the unfortunate fire incident which took place two days ago at Pahalgam in which property worth crores of rupees, including the Tourist Reception Centre, was gutted.

Sounding serious concern over such incidents, the Governor has urged the Municipal and District administrations and the Fire and Emergency Services Department to urgently commence action to specially inspect all commercial establishments and public premises to ensure the implementation of all required anti-fire measures on a time bound basis.

Srinagar: The Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah authorized the School Education Department to implement a scheme for the appointment of 8475 teachers on academic arrangement, along the lines of the scheme, already in vogue for higher secondary schools for the appointment of lecturers.

These temporary appointments on academic arrangements shall be for the duration of the academic session or till the regular selection of teachers by the Services Selection Board, whichever is earlier.

In another decision, the Cabinet accorded sanction to the creation of State Project Directorate, Rashtriya Uchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (Mission Directorate), including the creation of 43 posts of different categories for the establishment of State Project Directorate (SPD) to implement the Centrally Sponsored Scheme RUSA in the State from the year 2014-15.

The Union HRD Ministry launched RUSA as the 3rd tier of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the Education sector following Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Elementary Level) and RMSA (Secondary Level). The scheme was approved in October last year.

The Cabinet also sanctioned revision/up-dation of the list of the identified post (gazetted and non-gazetted) of persons with disabilities notified vide Government Order No.108-SW of 2013 dated 01-04-2013 and its replacement by the new list.

The Cabinet also approved the promotion of Mr. Mohammad Shafi Zahid, Deputy Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums as Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums prospectively.

Srinagar: All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has expressed hope that the Bharatiya Janta Party led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre would solve the pending issues of Sikh community of Jammu & Kashmir and grant minority status to the community.

In a statement issued to KNS, APSCC Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina welcomed the new central’s government plan to solve the problems being faced by various communities of the country. Raina said that members of Sikh community in the state are up against many odds and need immediate attention from the people at helm so that the problems are solved.

“It is good that the new central government has started taking steps to solve the problems of various communities living in the country. It must be kept in mind by decision takers that members of Sikh community have been fighting hard for their rights and their problems too need to be addressed at the earliest,” said Raina.

Raina said the Sikh community in the state should be granted the status of a minority community since they very much fall under the provisions set out in this regard. He said the Minority Act as framed by the National Commission for Minorities should be extended to the state without any dilution whatsoever.

“In case there is any dilution to the Minority Act then the members of Sikh community would come out and lodge strong protests in support of their genuine demands. We have been pressing hard to get this genuine demand conceded by the state government over the past few years. In case the Minority Act is altered then we will not desist from carrying out a full-fledged agitation,” said Raina.

Raina said that the recent Lok Sabha elections proved that Sikhs constitute an important component of the franchise in the state. He said that political parties should be aware that they would be forced to bite the dust in the assembly elections in case they speak or act against the Sikh community with respect to the implementation of National Minority Act in state in letter and spirit.

GoI should give assurance not to tamper with Article 370: Ratanpuri

Srinagar: The Member of Parliament, G.N. Ratanpuri has demanded that the Government of India should initiate a process to address the larger political issue of Kashmir & talk to all stake holders.

According to a statement issued to KNS, while welcoming the commitment to return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes he said that thousands of Muslim families who migrated to different parts of the country and many thousand who crossed over  to the other side of LOC should be included in the rehabilitation package.  Participating in the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Rajya Sabha he said that the address reads like a wish-list, too good to be true. But, its most positive aspect is the absence of all those contentious issues which were raised by the ruling party during election campaign to garner the votes.

He highlighted the fact that the ruling party has almost absolutely polarised the society to get this mandate. This is a very heavy price and to bring back the society  on rails of mutual trust may take much longer time. Ratanpuri said that as a result of this polarisation the Muslims feel extremely insecure and to quote Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, they can not even muster the courage to express their fears.

Terming the UP State government’s decision of granting relief to Muzzaffar Nagar riot victims only in lieu of their right to return to their home and hearth, as shameful, he hoped that the Ratnakar in the  ruling party has really had an encounter with Narad Muni and its change of heart is genuine.  He expected that the government will really be inclusive in its approach and able to carry along all the communities.

He demanded an unequivocal commitment from the government that no change will be sort unilaterally in Article 370.  The MP informed the House that the MOS in PMO by his irresponsible statement on application of article 370 has generated a lot of mistrust.  Perhaps, he was oblivious of its dangerous repercussions and the clarification thereafter should have been more assuring.  He said that the Minister’s statement generated interest in many quarters about the land prices around the lake.  But, the non-state subjects keen to own a house near Dal Lake can own the House Boat only. House they cannot own they will have to continue with hiring one.  Terming the argument of Article 370 being any impediment in the development and progress of J&K as preposterous, he said that provision is for land grants for industry exist in the  prevailing system.  He  said that while many of those on Treasury Benches today, have advocated the change in demographic character of J&K in the past, many today appear keen to  gain the trust of Kashmiri people.  He hoped that  those who wanted to solve the Kashmir problem by driving out Muslims and bringing in non-muslims have genuinely understood that coercion will not work and peace will come only through re-conciliation.  The Member argued that re-conciliation is not possible without justice and  justice will be ensured only if we speak truth, we support truth, we appreciate truth and we follow truth.  Addressing those who question the special status of J&K in the Indian union he said that J&K definitely is not like any other state.  The state was  overwhelmingly Muslim majority area and when the sub-continent was divided on the basis of two- nation theory, the Muslims of J&K decided to join India and not Pakistan.  Castigating those who tried to  give the credit of accession to Maharaja alone,  he said if so was the case then Hyderabad and Junagarh would have been parts of Pakistan and not India. The accession of J&K to India could be realised only due to support of the National Conference under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.  The MP reminded the House that in 1947 when the whole of sub-continent was burning in the fires of communal hatred, Muslims in J&K protected their Hindu brethren at the cost of their lives. The sad aspect of this story is that thousands of Muslims were slaughtered by mobs in Jammu at that time.

He said that the Central government has, right from 1947, unilaterally tried to alter the relationship between state and centre  on the strength of it being a powerful partner to agreement.  It altered  the terms of accession and eroded the autonomy of the state.  Today, if the new government is keen to gain the trust of  the people of J&K it can pick up the threads from where they were left by Vajpayee ji.  He said a beginning should immediately be made by addressing the economic issues.  The state should be compensated for the losses of Indus water Treaty, The NHPC Hydel Projects in J&K, where from profits many times more than investment have been earned, should be transferred to J&K government, action should be taken on the recommendations of working groups constituted by the former Prime Minister and a package for up-gradation and modernisation of road network in J&K should be announced immediately.

Srinagar: Prof. Saifuddin Soz President Pradesh Congress Committee  today on the resolution presented by the Treasury Benches for the President’s  Address to the Joint session of Parliament, said there is a situation of relief in my mind that India has become strong democracy, institutions have also become strong. Otherwise  any other country would have collapsed under the burden of an onslaught of propaganda towards the Sectarian Polarization through an unprecedented level of  Paid News. “Having said this I would like to  say that  the President’s address is a disjointed document of assertions.”

According to a statement issued to KNS, Soz said; “I welcome the assertion related to generation of hopes, improvement of  public distribution System and giving  the Agriculture production a fillip. We shall see how Mr. Modi will do it differently. But,  there are many broader questions in my mind.”

The address talks of growth  without any commitment from Modi government  taking the growth to a higher level. Gujrat Model has also not been explained, infact it has all been a propaganda. The Address has not even mentioned  inclusive growth how can there be growth without including weaker Sections, Muslims and other Minorities. Modi Government has asserted that  It will show zero tolerance for Extremism  and Terrorism. The UPA  first and Second were committed to this already, I think Modi Government’s intention are not clear. I regret that the BJP did not utter a word on the assassination  of an innocent youth belonging to  a Minority Community in Pune,  recently.”

“I regret that Modi Ji talks of modernization of Madrassas, it is an ongoing Scheme, What about  the implementation of recommendations of Sacher Committee which had rightly been accepted by the Manmohan Singh Government.. Modi Government  does not  say how it will give space to Muslims in the developmental process and in the political power. It is a major question   to how many Muslims Modi Ji got  into  Parliament of India and how  many Muslims had Modi Ji got elected to Gujrat Assembly.”

Soz said that the Major question before  the country is  how Modi Ji can built a strong  and modern India without including Muslims , other minorities and weaker sections of society. I remind Modi  Ji and ask him to see a Roll of Honour in the Port-Blair Jail indicating the names of Muslims who suffered incarceration  in that Jail alongwith their brethren.

“I lament that J&K State had been left out from the address. The address does not  say a word on rebuilding infrastructure  in J&K State and its’ overall Development. It does not say a word on completion of Zoji-LA Tunnel which can connect backward Ladakh region with  the main Stream. I regret  that the BJP does not  want to say anything on the one-time package for the Refugees from  Pakistan and PoK settled in Jammu.”

He said that the only thing the address indicated was that  Kashmir Pandits should go back to  their homes in Kashmir. I regret that the Address does not indicate what the Government  was doing for Kashmiri Pandits. “I urge Modi  Government to accept the rehabilitation package for Kashmir Pandits that had already been recommended by the J&K Government.”