Category: Union Territory

‘Baby’s corpse thrown on floor by a Hospital security official’

Srinagar: Protests erupted in Kashmir’s largest maternity hospital after people accused a security official of the hospital of throwing corpse of a baby on the floor.

The incident took place at Lal Ded Hospital.

The father of the baby Abdul Qayoom Khan from Kupwara and attendants of the baby, who was wrapped in the quilt, alleged that a security official took hold of the quilt and threw the corpse of the baby on the floor. Though the baby had died in the womb of her mother but attendants questioned the mandate of Hospital’s security personal, who according to them show ‘high-handedness’ in the Hospital.

The people shouted slogans against hospital authorities and demanded stern action against the official.

Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent of the Hosptal, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, told GNS that the incident occurred accidently.

“It was normal delivery. The baby had already died in the womb of her mother at home. After delivery, the body of the baby was wrapped in a blanket and her father had kept it on the table. When in the hospital security men came, they started to take out people from ward and accidently due to a security man, the baby fell down on the floor,” he told GNS.

He identified the security man as Farooq Ahmad and said he has been dismissed him and handed over him to police. “The hospital is not responsible for the death of the baby as she was brought dead here in the womb of her mother. The people have exaggerated the issue,” he said, adding the security man himself is the father of three daughters.

Meanwhile, police have started investigations, an official said.

 

Terms Mufti’s slogan of change a ‘Hoax’

Urges rights groups to hold independent probe in rights abuses

Srinagar:  Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Monday stated that a ‘massive anti-poll campaign shall be launched by his faction in the coming days against the upcoming assembly elections.

According to the KNS correspondent, Geelani while addressing daylong seminar held for the disappeared persons in the state appealed people t boycott  the assembly election as ‘they boycotted the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in the state’. “We are making the strategy and are discussing various dimensions so that poll boycott campaign shall be made a success. I am satisfied that more than 80 percent of the people in valley boycotted the polls. We want people to reject the elections of assembly as well.”

Geelani while addressing the people at his Hyderpora residence here remarked that the formation of the BJP government is no different entity as the other face of the Congress. “Congress and BJP are the two sides of the same coin. One speaks a soft tone and other uses harsh words. The policies of the duo vis-à-vis Kashmir are no different from each other.”

Geelani also criticized PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, stating that his claims of change and assurances of Kashmir resolution is a mere ‘hoax’. “Mufti endorses occupation of India in Kashmir. He seeks Kashmir resolution within the Indian Sovereignty. They in actual are legitimizing illegal control of New Delhi here.”

The senior separatist leader while paying tributes to slain Peoples’ Conference chairman Abdul Gani Lone remarked that Lone played vital role in the previous poll boycott campaign and worked hard with the pro-freedom camp against the atrocities being committed in Kashmir during that time. “It is saddening that his son is now in the ranks of Pro-India politicians. At present he cannot claim to be any different from NC, PDP or the other likewise parties.”

Terming the disappearance of more than 10 thousand people and the presence of more than 6700 unmarked graves as the ‘greatest human tragedy’, Geelani asked the international Human Rights groups to probe into the issues so that truth could come to fore. “When India is claiming to be the largest democracy of the world, its denial of the birth right to the people of Kashmir itself is negating its claims. We are neither against India nor against its people. We are only demanding our birth right.”

Stating that need of the hour is to establish Batul Mall at every place in Valley so that victims of the ongoing struggle could be benefitted, Geelani stated that the time has come when the begging bowl syndrome must be shunned so that the struggle doesn’t become dependent on any country.

According to the KNS correspondent, a documentary film was also displayed during seminar that highlighted the issue of disappearance in Kashmir. Also Advocate Zahid Ali, from  Jamat-e-Islami chief and Jamaet-e- Alhadith’s Mushtaq Veeri also spoke during the occasion.  Mohammad Ashraf Sehrae had the inaugural address. While as  Ayaz Akbar was the dice incharge.

‘PDP treats people’s mandate as sacred trust’

Srinagar: Expressing gratitude to the people of Kulgam district for contributing to the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recent Lok Sabha Polls, the party president, Mehbooba Mufti, Monday said with the impressive mandate in the elections the people of the state have reposed their faith in the PDP and its agenda.

According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a well-attended public meeting at Kulgam she said the PDP treats people’s mandate as a sacred trust and would treat this as an opportunity to change the lives of the people who have suffered for decades.

Mehbooba expressed her gratitude to the voters and general public of Kulgam district, compromising Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad and Homshalibug segments, for having voted for her and her party to a big win.

Senior party leaders Sofi Abdul Gaffar MLA; Mohammad Sartaj Madni MLA; district president Nazir Ahmad Laway; Abdul Majeed Padder, Gulzar Ahmad Dar; Zone presidents Zafrullah Wani, Farooq Ahmad, district youth president Sheraz Ahmad and others were also present and spoke on this occasion.

She said it was a writing on the wall now that the people of the entire state would vote for the PDP to bring in a government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with a clear majority, so that the initiatives of change that had been started in 2002 are carried forward.

Mehbooba said the state would have an entirely a new experience of good governance and conflict resolution, if the PDP, which already has three MPs in the parliament, gets a chance to form a stable government at the state level.

Referring to the disgusting manner in which the National Conference-led coalition had responded to the defeat in the parliamentary elections, Mehbooba said it seems that the ruling parties have lost their way completely. She said the government is now trying to undone the wrongs, it had committed during last five and a half years, in the name of ‘retrospection’, but it does not care to mention the immense cost it has inflicted on the people as a result of its arrogance, mis-governance, inefficiency, compromises and corruption.

“Would the Omar Abdullah government reverse the silly SMS ban or the so-called recruitment policy, if they had not been defeated in the Lok Sabha elections,” Mehbooba wondered and said the power of vote had finally come to stay in the hands of the people and there was nobody else who could determine the fate of politicians in future. “The days of external life-lines and power conspiracies are over,” she added.

The PDP president said the PDP has always considered itself as accountable to the people and it would continue with its people friendly policies. She said while there were immense problems on account of corruption, mis-governance, lack of development and infrastructure building but unemployment problem was the biggest challenge for the next government.

Mehbooba said Omar Abdullah government is leaving behind a mess that is difficult to sort out, but the anti-youth policies pursued by it present us with a huge challenge on employment front and the ways to engage youth along creative channels.

Mehbooba said the human resource development had been almost abandoned by the government and the people were forced to sell their lands and assets to fund the education of their children outside the state while the institutions within the state were compromised and the system of examination and entrance to technical institutions subverted for money.

The PDP chief said the political problems facing the state have to be taken head-on and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed would need a decisive mandate to be able to address them and take them up with the national leadership.  She said our voice will be heard with respect and reason not only in New Delhi but all across the country. “Our voice for peace could find a resonance even in Islamabad and the neighboring country if PDP is handed down a clear mandate,” she said.

Mehbooba said the 2002 Vajpayee initiative withstood severe provocations and serious incidents only because it had originated from Kashmir and former prime minister had responded positively to yearning for peace. That spirit, she said, will have to be revived for a lasting and dignified peace.

‘State set to achieve self-reliance in energy production’

‘Public satisfaction should be first concern of PDD’

24×7 power supply to be achieved under R-APDRP: Vikar

Srinagar: Inaugurating Rs. 890 crore Restructured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) for Kashmir, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Mondayasked the Power Development Department to make public satisfaction first concern in its functioning.

“Public satisfaction and Customer Care should be the benchmark of your functioning”, he told the functionaries of Power Development Department stressing on strengthening Call Centres and Grievance Redressal Units recently established at the two Data Centres inaugurated by the Chief Minister under R-APDRP at Srinagar and Jammu in the last week.

The Chief Minister said that remarkable measures have been taken during the last five and the half years of his government to address power development both on generation and distribution fronts. He said as against 750 MW projects including Baglihar-I of 450 MW capacity completed in the State since 1947 to 2008, his government initiated generation of 1600 MWs capacity hydro electric projects in last five and the half years while projects of 2220 MW capacity are ready to be awarded for construction.

Omar Abdullah said that power sector has unfortunately remained political target in the State as such the tremendous work done and improvement registered in the generation and distribution during the last five and the half years has got over shadowed by the propaganda. He said his government has enhanced power supply by 46 percent during its tenure so far which is not a joke. He said similarly the quality and the voltage of electricity have been remarkably upgraded while 18500 new transmission lines erected to improve the distribution. He said 2600 MVA transformation capacity has been added by creating new Grid Stations and augmenting existing ones.

The Chief Minister said that there are some 1.50 lakh unregistered consumers getting electricity which is not reflected in the power supply system as such there is high percentage of transformer damages. He said he has asked the department to register all these unregistered consumers and incentivize the performance of grass root paraphernalia including linemen of PDD so that they are encouraged and given incentives for their performance in improving and reforming the distribution system.

Omar Abdullah said that technical as well as human intervention is required to improve and reform the power distribution system and ensure satisfaction of the people. He said before launch of R-APDRP, some elements started propaganda against this initiative carrying false bogy that this programme will add difficulties to consumers. He said that people should understand that R-APDRP is in the best interest of consumers to receive better and uninterrupted electricity and get their grievances redressed as early as possible. “It will not only improve the power distribution network but provide online facility to people to acquire their bills, make payments and have their grievances registered and redressed in shortest possible time”, he said adding that the system will also improve transparency in the revenue collection.

Omar Abdullah said that he has asked the PDD to work out special programme of power tariff for poorer sections of the society with the Finance Department so that they are further benefited on this count. He said presently the State Government is providing 63 percent subsidy on the supply of electricity to consumers while this subsidy to industry is of the order of 40 to 50 percent. He said Jammu and Kashmir is the first State after Sikkim which provides cheapest electricity to its consumers. He said R-APDRP will not only transform the power distribution conditions and infrastructure in the 30 towns of the State including Jammu and Srinagar Cities but its trickledown effect will also benefit other areas which do not fall under this programme.

The Chief Minister asked the PDD to make all efforts to improve its service to public and carry forward the trend of improvement and upgradation process in electricity generation and distribution and other disciplines. He also asked the department to gear up right now for meeting winter eventualities in the Valley on account of damage to the transformers, transmission lines and other installations. “We know there will be snow fall in the winter as such we should be prepared to face its challenge successfully. In this regard you have to be fully prepared undertaking all necessary measures in the summer months”, he added.

Speaking on the occasion Minister of State for Power, Vakar Rasool highlighted the benefits of R-APDRP and said that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has fixed the target of achieving generation of 9000 MWs of power in the State by 2020 and PDD has already initiated a multipronged strategy in this regard.

The Minister said that R-APDRP-Part B will help to provide 24×7 electricity to the consumers in the State and reduce the transformers damage to two percent. He said the transformer damage which was 41 percent before five years earlier has been reduced to 27 percent now. He said 30 towns including 19 in Kashmir Division are been covered under the programme. He said under the Part-A of the programme five Grid Stations have been constructed and sixth is under execution.

The Minister said the power supply capacity of the PDD has been increased from 700 MWs to 1200 MWs during the last over five years. He said 220 Transmission Line is being carried to Valley via Mughal Road while another Line has been sanctioned for Ladakh. He said each District is being provided with Rs. one crore to upgrade its distribution network. He said T&D losses have come down from 70 percent to 56 percent in last above five years.

In a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation the Principal Secretary Power Development Department, A. K. Mehta said that among the key objectives of R-APDRP, 24×7 power supply on affordable tariff with improvement in quality and grievance redressal are the prime ones. He said reduction of outrages, safety of life and property and adequate generation and distribution capacity are other objectives of the programme.

He said there has been remarkable decrease in the electricity deficit of the State since last over five years and it has come down from 69.03 percent in 2007-2008 to 47.54 percent in 2013-14. He said streamlining of power procurement and widening the consumer base besides reducing AT&C losses will help to provide power supply to consumers at lesser tariff.

He said Part-B of R-APDRP include renovation, modernization and strengthening of 11KV sub-stations, Re-conducting of lines, Load bifurcation, Feeder separation, Cabling, Installation of capacitors, Replacement of electromagnetic metres and other works.

He said Anantnag, Budgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, Bijbehara, Dooru-Verinag, Ganderbal, Handwara, Kargil, Kulgam, Kupwara, Leh, Pattan, Pulwama, Shopian, Sopore, Srinagar, Sumbal and Tral towns are being covered under R-APDRP.

Chief Engineer (M&RE) Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Khan also made PowerPoint presentation giving details of the current power supply position in the Valley and the measures afoot for its further improvement and upgradation.

Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Agriculture, G. H. Mir, Parliament Member, Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri, MLA Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, various Administrative Secretaries, officers and staff of PDD were present besides the members of civil society.

The Chief Minister on the occasion also visited various stalls established by PDD and private companies in the field depicting new electric gadgets and transformers designed by them. The stalls also provided information and education about the power development sector in the State through broachers, pamphlets and bills.