Category: Business

NC’s defeat has been caused by the degeneration of its political culture

BACK TO BASICS HASEEB A DRABU

The top brass of the National Conference ( NC) has reacted to the results of the Parliamentary elections with shock and surprise. This is strange. A blind man with his eyes covered could have seen this coming had he kept his ear to the ground. The wise men of the party have identified the style of campaigning, perceived complicity in Afzal Guru’s hanging and the resentment against the “ teenocide” of 2009- 10 as the proximate reasons for the defeat. As such, the electoral performance of NC is being seen as “ one time” reversal caused by a set of incidental or contingent events and circumstances. This is a wrong diagnosis arrived at by pursuing a flawed line of enquiry. The truth is far bitter and even far less comforting. Introspection, as being done by the party leadership, is welcome. However, if it results in measures like lifting the “ sms ban on pre- paid sim cards”, or withdrawal of a “ fiscally necessitated” job policy or using financial institutions to dole out ad hoc concessions, it points not only to a bankruptcy of ideas but also political poverty. These steps amount to, as the colloquial saying goes, “ yupis duin shupe ” ( using a winnow kee to hold a flood)! NC’s loss in the Parliamentary elections is not just an electoral debacle. Nor is it a situational poll reversal. Or merely the anti- incumbency of the last five years. It is all that and much more. It is not a debacle, which connotes suddenness, but degeneration which is long term structural and systemic. The consequence of it being diagnosed as sudden debacle is that the entire blame is being put at the doorstep of Omar Abdullah and his team of young advisors. True, Omar Abdullah lacks political gravitas and backroom guile. True also that his core team lacks political maturity and organizational method. But the fact is that the “ rot” in NC precedes them by two decades and more. The seeds for what has happened in the 2014 elections were sown long ago by Farooq Abdullah and his bandicoots. His obscene acts were laughed off as lighthearted banter, his perversities were interpreted as idiosyncrasies, his dishonesty was eulogized as expediency, his decadence was valued as indulgence, and his insincerity was condoned as flippancy. His cheap theatrics became political tactic of the NC. This gradually degenerated into institutionalized disrespect for the people of Kashmir, their sensibilities and their aspirations. Overtime this got concretized as dissent and eventually has now surfaced as anger and hate. It is with these traits and from those times that the seeds of NC’s disaster have been sown. Omar Abdullah understood this. And it didn’t escape any keen observer’s attention that in the initial two years of his term, he airbrushed his father and drew political lineage and sustenance directly from his grandfather. Sadly, he capitulated at the first signs of trouble. The first real election that NC fought under the family leadership was only in 1977. Sheikh Abdullah, on the rebound from the Congress back stabbing, led NC to a decent victory by securing a third of the total votes polled. During his period the vote share remained stable. Riding a sympathy vote from the death of Sheikh Abdullah, NC’s share of votes increased under Farooq Abdulla’s leadership increased to an all- time high of 46%. True to his personal nature and political acumen, he squandered the mandate rather quickly. Thereafter, in the Parliamentary elections of 1996, NC polled 26% votes. This dip was obviously due to an overhang of secessionism. In 1998, it recouped its share back to 33%. From then on it has been a downhill slide. NC vote share of 46% when Farooq took over the reins of NC in 1984 declined to 19 per cent when he handed over the reins to Omar Abdullah. On his part Omar Abdullah hasn’t been able to stem the slide. On the contrary he accelerated it. The significant aspect of the decline is that with every election NC’s share of votes has declined. As the accompanying graph shows, it was 36% in 1998 which declined to 29% in 1999 declining further to 28% before reaching 19% in 2009. Now it has plummeted to 11%. To add insult to injury, this 11% vote share includes some votes of its coalition partner! So, it may well turn out to be that NC’s own vote share is in single digits. This didn’t happen overnight. The same pattern is observed in the case of assembly election. NC’s share has dramatically come down from more than 47% in 1977, to less than 23% in 2008. If the current parliamentary shares are extrapolated, NC’s vote share will not be more than 14% in the elections at the end of the year. As an obvious consequence of this decline, the number of seats won by NC has come down. In the assembly from a high of 57 to a low of 28. Despite the fact that the number of seat in the assembly increased from 76 to 87, the number of seats won by NC has declined. In 1977, NC got a 62% of the seats, while in 2008 it managed to win only 32% of the seats. What this decline shows is the dwindling of its cadres and erosion in its support base. Earlier it had shrunk in the Jammu region and South Kashmir. This time around it has shriveled in North as well as Central Kashmir. In addition to its actions, what hastened the decline of its fortunes are two structural features; coalition and opposition. Historically, NC is used to neither! From 2002 to 2014, the decline in NC’s electoral strength is directly related to the emergence of a competing regional party. In the assembly, PDP got 9% in 2002 and increased its share to 15% in 2008. While PDP gained 6 percentage points in their vote share, NC lost 5 percentage points. In the last two assembly elections, the vote share of PDP has increased 66 per cent. Similarly, between the Parliamentary elections of 2004 and 2014, PDP’s share has gone up from 12% to 21%; an increase of 75%. This is a nightmarish situation for a political party like NC that has been weaned on getting 74 of 76 candidates elected unopposed! In this context, the planned efforts afoot to clean up of the mess in NC, welcome and long overdue as they are, can be evocatively summarized by the local saying, “ Doone galre wular pazun” ( To clean the Wular Lake with a walnut kernel)!

MUMBAI: All new ATMs to be installed by commercial banks from July 2014 onwards would provide audible instructions and Braille keypads to customers, RBI said on Wednesday.

The RBI’s directive today came on its prior advice to banks in 2009 to make bank branches and ATMs accessible to people with disabilities and make at least one-third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.

“It is, therefore, reiterated that banks should make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014, as talking ATMs with Braille keypads,” RBI said in a notification. “Banks should lay down a road map for converting all existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and the same may be reviewed from time to time,” it said.

Solina traders block traffic, demand compensation

Srinagar: Shopkeepers took out protest march and blocked the traffic at Solina in Srinagar protesting against the government’s indifference towards them.

The shopkeepers complained that their business has got affected due to construction work of Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover.
The flyover project, which was in July 2009 and had to be completed in three years, hit many roadblocks, including litigation by traders, who are to be relocated to make way for the project.
Demanding compensation, the traders had earlier put a proposal before the authorities so that their grievances could be addressed.

“The shopkeepers protested against the failure of the government to provide them compensation. Police had also taken action, but we (KTMF) reached and handled the situation,” Said Farhan Kitab, media advisor to Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF).

He said that the additional DC also reached the spot and fixed a meeting with the Divisional Commissioner.
Expressing disappointment on the part of Government, Chairman KTMF, Yasin Khan said that it was unfortunate that the government had rendered the shopkeepers helpless.
“This has become a police state. We have conducted the meeting with Divisional commissioner but I don’t expect anything yet,” Khan said

He said that the market consists near about 150 shops and serves a source of income to more than 300 families, “but government has done nothing for their rehabilitation nor have they been given any compensation”.

“The road is littered with construction material, there is no space for parking and the pollution level has gone up three folds. The customer footfall to the shops has dropped by over 100 percent,” he said.
Meanwhile Divisional Commissioner Shailender Kumar while commenting on the issue said, “We have not promised them anything. There is no such policy at all.”

“They are claiming that there business has got affected and are demanding rehabilitation. There is no such provision. Rehabilitation policy is for the displaced ones. But they are not subject to any rehabilitation,” Kumar told Rising Kashmir.

“I have asked them to get all the details tomorrow. If the demands will be genuine, I will take up the case with government,” Kumar added.

Radiation-free technology will strengthen pvt health sector

Srinagar: Srinagar-based Noora Hospital Saturday launched ‘Phillips 128 Slice ingenuity CT scanner’, first of its kind facility in the private health sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
CEO Noora Hospital, Manzoor Wagay on the launching ceremony said: “It is a moment of great felicitation, gratitude and prestige for the hospital to introduce the new CT scanner, which is going to offer cutting edge technology in quick diagnosis and treatment to the patients in Kashmir.”
He said the facility will not only benefit the patients through low dosage of radiation, “it will also enable the doctors at Noora Hospital to undertake new procedures which were not possible till now.”
He said they have fulfilled promise to get the best CT scanner to the people of Valley.
“The best feature of this CT scanner with its outstanding performance is that it emits less radiation and provides high clarity results. So, now people of the Valley need not worry about the hazards of radiation and the clarity of the scans,” he said.
He said the patients from the Valley go to the hospitals outside state because they do not get effective treatment in the state and the treatment outside the state is very expensive.
He said that Noora Hospital has embarked on a journey of providing best health care services to the people and that is the factor which motivates “us to invest in the best technology.”
“We want people get an effective and a low cost treatment while sitting here,” he said.
Wagay said that Noora Hospital has built a strategic plan to ensure its mission endures, which is to provide best quality health care services to every individual at an affordable cost, which is consistent with the highest customer satisfaction, transparency and ethical medical practices.
“NOORA Hospital has also procured Carl’s Opmi Vairo microscope and this tool is currently available only in this institute. This microscope is known throughout the world for microsurgeries like ENT, SPINE etc.” he added.
“We believe that to achieve our mission, the only way ahead is to upgrade our infrastructure which not only includes building, but more importantly advanced medical equipment. We need to provide our doctors with the latest tools to reach their full potential and care for the patients, and those tools include advanced medical technology. The road ahead is full of challenges, but  Noora will continue its growth path with a strong focus on patient care and up gradation to newer and better technology. We are also planning to procure the MRI machine and install Cath lab,” he said.
Wagay said that he would like to take this opportunity to thank his father who is also the chairman of “the hospital for always being there to support and guide us.”
“Without him it would not have been possible to achieve this milestone. He has been a guiding force, a mentor and an inspiration both on personal as well as professional front,” he said.

Stakeholders appeal govt

Srinagar: Valley-based handicrafts dealers have appealed the government to check sale of machine-made Kashmir art by some devious dealers.

The dealers alleged that such goods are being sold in the name of Kashmir handicraft.
The dealers said the Boulevard and some adjoining areas are increasingly being used by these vendors who set up their stall occupying the footpaths for ‘selling sub-standard Kashmir art products.”
The dealers from the Boulevard, Dalgate, Khona Kahn and other areas complained that during evening hours, these vendors illegally occupy pavements by erecting makeshift stalls and then sell fake handicraft items to tourism passing them as Kashmir Art thus defaming handicraft sector.
General Secretary, United Boulevard Association, Zahoor Ahmad said: “The business of shopkeepers in the area has been jeopardized by these vendors who illegally occupy footpaths and erect tents converting them into shops on open land on peripheries of Boulevard road.”
“We have time and again pleaded before authorities to take action these vendors but our pleas have not been acknowledged and these vendors continue to sale handicraft items there,” he said, adding that they had already approached LAWDA but nothing happened.
Ahmad said that they are on the verge of closing down shops as they have been left with very little business opportunity.
Ahmad alleged that vendors of violating Tourism Trade Act. “They cannot sale handicraft items without being registered with Handicraft department.”
Pertinently, recently Handicraft Department has directed all the handicraft dealers to get their registration done from the department in order to weed out unscrupulous elements selling fake handicraft items in the name of Kashmir handicraft.
Pertinently, handicraft dealers in Kashmir have time and again raised the issue of sale of substandard machine made items in the name of Kashmir art.
When contacted, Director Handicrafts, Tariq Ganie said: “In view of election we had desisted from taking action against vendors but in a day or two we will clear the Boulevard area from the vendors illegally occupying pavements and footpaths and selling items without having requisite documents.”
District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir that district administration has directed the Police to take strict action against any vendor selling fake handicraft items.
“We have asked  Police to take action and administration at any cost won’t allow anybody to cheat tourist by mixing Amritsar handicraft shawls then selling them to customers in the name of Kashmiri Pashmina Shawl. I have directed the Police to ensure these unscrupulous traders are taken to task so that nobody dares to defame handicraft sector.”

Srinagar: Expanding its network to under-banked and unbanked areas in the state, J&K Bank commissioned three business units at Kud, Mand and Dalsar in Udhampur district. With this, the network of business units of the bank has reached to 789 excluding extension counters, Regional Collection Centres and mobile branches. In district Udhampur, the number of its business units is now 25. Chief Executive Officer, Patnitop Development Authority Raman Kesar inaugurated the business unit at Kud in presence of Zonal Head M Ibrahim Wani and Cluster Head Iqbal Singh amid presence of a cross-section of society. Raman Kesar appreciated the role of J&K Bank for providing the world-class banking facility to the public at their door steps. The residents of the area thanked the Bank for fulfilling their long pending demand of opening a branch at Kud. The BU at Mand was inaugurated by Zonal Head M Ibrahim Wani amid good gathering of people. Cluster Head Iqbal Singh was also present on the occasion. The business unit at Mand is situated on NH-A1 which will cater to the needs of locals as well as those from surrounding areas. People present on the occasion thanked the bank for providing them banking facilities at their door-step. The business unit at Dalsar (Ramnagar) in Udhampur district was inaugurated by Cluster Head Iqbal Singh.

Inclement April weather, intermittent rains played spoilsport

Srinagar: Inclement weather and intermittent rains Kashmir Valley received last month have badly affected the almond crop in Kashmir raising concerns about reduction in its production. Farmers from various areas of the Kashmir Valley complained that they feared sharp decline in the almond production given the massive scale of loss the almond crop had suffered due to intermittent rains. Pertinently, officials last month had confirm massive loss to the almond crop due to continued rains. Officials said that during 2013-14, Valley recorded almond production of 9558 MT, “but this year as per the estimates the production won’t go beyond 4500 MT.” Muhammad Ismail, an orchard owner from Pulwama said: “Rains have wreaked havoc with my almond orchards. I fear sharp decline in the production.” “I had high expectations that by selling this year’s produce I will repay loans and other debts, but now I feel nature’s wrath has spoiled my plans,” he said. Shabir Ahmad, a grower from Central Kashmir also feared huge losses suggesting that the state government needed to provide relief to the affected orchard owners. Director Horticulture, Sonam Narboo confirmed that the almond crop has suffered heavy damage due to inclement weather this year and production could be less by 50 per cent. “We had high expectation that this year the almond production will be good, but untimely rains damaged the almond flower blossoms,” he said.Narboo said that rains washed away the blossoms from the trees affecting the development of the fruit. He said team of Horticulture department will assess the losses and submit the report to higher authorities for further necessary action. President, Parimpora Fruit Mandi Bashir Ahmad said that almonds are mostly consumed in the Valley as the demand of this dry fruit is good in the summer capital. “But apart from local consumption we also export almonds to states like Delhi, Mumbai and is even traded via LoC route,” he said. Pertinently, Kashmir almonds are known for their quality superiority and taste and are very popular with the consumers across the globe. Almond trees with flower blossoms give present an enchanting sight during spring in Kashmir.

‘Red Day’ celebrated at Hat Trick Public School

Srinagar: Hat Trick Public School, a unit of Chowdhary Group, Monday celebrated ‘Red Day’ to introduce color red to kindergarten students. The event also made the little tots aware about different articles present in their surroundings.
Following a unique concept being adopted in education in Europe, the kids at Hat Trick Public School were asked to collect as many articles including their own toys available with them at home which are red in color.
Around 90 students of the three sections of KG classes participated in the event and displayed their articles red in color in their class rooms.
The students identified all the articles, read their names and were made aware about the importance of the articles they had collected. The students were also awarded for making best collections.
On the occasion the best students from each class were chosen as Master Red and Miss Red for their best collections, dresses they had worn, props they had used. The students were also awarded on the occasion.
From KG 1 A Farisah Shakeel and Maryam Suhail, Makeen Basharat and Saleh Muhammad Razi from KG 2 and Zainub Tafazul Chest and Tamana Azad were declared as Master Reds and Miss Red.
Speaking on the occasion Principal of the School Siraj Ahmad Bhat said observing Red Day has a meaning and theme. He said Hat Trick Public School celebrated the Red Day in the school primarily to introduce color Red to children and also make them aware about the things in their surroundings.
He said Red Day is being observed in the West to make people conscious of heart ailments.
He said school will also organize blood donations camps to observe the Red Day in future.
Speaking on the occasion Chairman Chowdhary Group Showkat Chowdhary complemented the students and the teachers for organizing the event.
During the event the children presented skits, recited rhymes on the theme Red.
Chowdhary said the motive of the school is to impart quality education and by involving students with real life experience.
Former Executive President J&K Bank Tafazal Hussain who was the chief guest on the occasion said school is working on a unique model and administration is more than satisfied with the working of the school.
Prof Hawa Bashir, Muazam Bakshi (hotelier), Aysha Saleem, Nisar Geelani, presented awards to the students from each class who emerged winner in the completion of collecting best articles.
Chief Guest Tafazul Hussain awarded KG II teachers for best presentation from their students.