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TUESDAY 03 June | 2014 | 04 Shaban, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 |
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Misbah is a better captain than Imran Khan: Ajmal
1 Dies, 07 injured in road accidents Srinagar, June 02: One person died while seven others were injured in different road accidents across the valley. A Xylo vehicle bearing registration number JK01Q-0164 rammed into a popular tree near High School Choora, in the jurisdiction of police station Tarzoo Sopore, resulting in injuries of 05 passengers. All the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment. Among the injured Mohammad Sidiq Wani resident of Kupwara succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital, Srinagar. Sopore police has registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, a Maruti car bearing registration number DL9CN-6441 hit a Motorcycle bearing registration number MHI2DV-8932 at See Accidents On PG 11..
Motorcyclist drowns in Bandipora Srinagar, June 2 : A motorcyclist lost control over his bike and plunged into a nearby canal and got drowned at Atwatoo in Bandipora district on Sunday evening. Police said that a motorcyclist Ajaz Ahmad Sheer Gojri son of Abdul Ahad resident of Quil Muqam Bandipora got drowned in canal when he lost control of his bike Yamaha bearing registration number JK05-1836 while travelling from Atwatoo to Tangath and plunged into the nearby canal at Atwatoo, in the jurisdiction number Pethkoote, Bandipora. The body of Ajaz was later fished out from the canal and handed over to his relatives for last rites. See Bandipora On PG 11..
Inside story Militant Hideout busted in North Kashmir Srinagar, Jun 2 (KNS): Army and Handwara police Monday busted an old cave type militant’s hideout and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from Kralsanger Forest in Handwara of Kupwara district, North Kashmir. According to the statement issued to KNS, Bsed on a specific intelligence input, a joint search operation was launched by Army and
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On Edit Page Frequent road accidents-a matter of concern
The traffic accidents consumes more precious lives than the militancy related incidents, is a shocking revelation which is indicative of the pathetic condition of our roads and the prevalent traffic management system. Undoubtedly the already deficient road connectivity in the state is in a very bad condition and the frequent accidents are the result of these depleted roads. Leave aside the roads leading to small towns and villages, the National Highway from Baramulla to Srinagar and From Srinagar to Anantnag, highways are nothing but death traps. The widening and upgrading of this highway has resulted in frequent accidents and unending
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WEATHER FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS: Light Rain would occur at a few places over the state.
FORECAST OF SRINAGAR: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 26°C & 12°C respectively.
C TEMPERATURE M MAXIMUM Y MINIMUM K
SUNSET ON(TUESDAY) SUNRISE ON (WEDNESDAY)
26.00C 11.4 0C 07:39 PM 05:21 AM
For
VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 153 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)
Jus
tice
Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K
Man dies due to thunderstorm, lightening in Poonch
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Rajnath seeks roadmap for strengthening internal security New Delhi, June 02: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday met heads of various paramilitary forces and chiefs of central security agencies and asked them to prepare a road map for strengthening the country’s internal security. During the meeting, which lasted for 30 minutes, the Minister made it clear that while developing the road map, the security agencies should keep in mind the development aspect as well. Besides head of paramilitary forces, the meeting was attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Intelligence Bureau Chief Asif Ibrahim and Chief of Research and Analysis Wing Alok Joshi. While taking over as the Home Minister, Rajnath had asked his officials to come up with out of the box ideas for internal security and better coordination between the Centre and states. He had said that the blueprint should also contain ideas to resolve border disputes with neighbouring countries without compromising national interests.
Hugh Jackman challenges John Cena
Crucial divisions dealing with internal security, Naxal management, Centre-State, North-East and Jammu and Kashmir have also been directed to prepare a road map to improve internal security architecture in the next few days. Singh has already been briefed about the problems along the international border, like infiltration from Bangladesh and dispute with Pakistan on Sir Creek, and ways to resolve them.
Srinagar, June 2: 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
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1600 MW capacity power projects launched in 5 years: Omar ‘State set to achieve self-reliance in energy production’ Srinagar, June 2 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 gener-
Mehbooba assures people better availability of civic amenities Says power conspiracies and non-performance days over
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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. See Mehbooba On PG 11..
ation 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 See Omar On PG 11..
Rajendra takes over as DGP
Stresses for professional policing, better deliverance
Srinagar, June 2: K. Rajendra Kumar, today took over as Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir. He succeeds Mr. Ashok Prasad, who has been repatriated to Intelligence Bureau (IB) Government of India. Mr. Rajendra, a 1984 batch IPS officer, was posted as Special DGP (Coordination) at Police Headquarters (PHQ) and has also
served as Incharge DGP in 2012 for some time. He has also served in the State in different capacities including ADGP Armed/Law & Order, ADGP CID, DG Prisons, IGP Kashmir and Jammu Zone, IGP CID, DIG Srinagar, Doda and Poonch Rajouri, SSP District Srinagar, Doda and SDPO Reasi. After assuming the charge, Mr. Rajendra presided over a meeting of senior officers at PHQ. He deliberated upon his See DGP On PG 11..
895 stolen gas cylinders recovered in south Kashmir
Srinagar, June 02: Police on Monday said that it has recovered 895 stolen gas cylinders in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. A police official told GNS that on 27th May, last month, they received a complaint that some 1360 gas cylinders have been stolen away with three trucks and 60 gas stoves from the godown of Mir Gas Agency at Shirmal by some thieves. “Two persons were nominated as alleged accused and an FIR 118/14 was registered and investigations were taken up,” the official said, adding during investigations 895 stolen gas cylinders were recovered and one alleged accused Ghulam Muhammad Mir, son of Muhammad Amin Mir was arrested. The police official said that few gas stoves were also recovered See Stolen On PG 11..
Old City residents up in arms Protest against security staff against delay in payments ‘high-handedness’ in Lel Ded Hospital and that their case conBlocked Soura road, results yoom Khan from Kupwara and attentinues to remain limbo. ‘Baby’s dead body Non-availability of of the baby, who was wrapped and demanded stern action against “Four years earlier, the governaccused officials of the ment assured us that once we reportedly thrown on floor by dants in the quilt, alleged that a security of- the official. ambulance sparks ficial took hold of the quilt and threw Meanwhile, the Medical Superinvacate our houses, the payment deliberate delay the corpse of the baby on the floor. tendent of the Hosptal, Dr. Mushtaq against the same shall be made one security official’ protest in Tral Srinagar, Jun 2: Accusing that the state authorities have turned ‘blind eye’ towards their plight, the residents of old Srinagar Monday took to streets- holding sit in for hours against the ‘inordinate delay’ in disbursement of the payments against the houses that government earlier bulldozed for the road widening. Details informed KNS that in the early morning hours, several residents of Nowshera, Srinagar took to streets and held protest demonstrations against the delay in the disbursement of the funds that government had approved in their favour against allowing their residential houses to be demolished for the road widening purpose. Reports maintained that people of the area blocked the vital road link for hours that connects main Lal Chowk to the Soura hospital. Protesters while raising slogans for the fulfilment of their demands accused that their repeated pleas to the district authorities didn’t yield any
at an earliest but till now not even a single penny has been disbursed and the officials are acting as the autocrats to our woes,” said Ghulam Rasool, local resident. Mohammad Shafi, another protester who says that he has been living as a tenet since last four years, said that his ancestral house was taken away from him under the garb of raod widening and his payment still is unpaid.”I want to build my own house but where is money. They took everything from us. Despite we approached to DC several times, he is paying no heed to our pleas.” Threatening to intensify the protests if the demands are not met in the near future, locals also accuse MLA Zadibal of ignoring their requests for the facilitation into the case.”He has destroyed all the area here. He is not worth of even to be a Mohalla president. He is destroying more than developing See OldOn PG 11..
Srinagar, June 02: 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 Qa-
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 See Protest On PG 11..
KTMF asks JK Bank to come out with a white paper Kotak issues ‘Bank must change advisory, asks bank its attitude towards to maintain reduce customers’ Srinagar, Jun 2 (KNS):
Srinagar, June 2: Expressing concern over the recent reports that appeared in a section of press about Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturing Federation (KTMF) President Muhammad Sadiq Baqal Monday asked the Bank to come out
Referring to reports that according to it indicate that the JK Bank has 25 billion rupees of loans that is technically unsecured and See Kotak On PG 11..
with a white paper See KTMF On PG 11..
Ahmad, told GNS that the incident occurred accidently. Tral, June 2: Amid sloganeering, “It wasMonday normalstaged delivery. The baby locals a massive had already diedhealth in thedepartment womb of her protest against mother at government home. Afterfor delivery, and state its fail- the body the baby was wrapped ure toofprovide ambulance in subin a blanket her fathe districtand hospital See Tral On PG 11.. r had kept it on the table. When in
Lt Gen DS Hooda assumed the appointment of Army Commander of Northern Command Srinagar, June 02: The Lt. Gen DS Hooda assumed the appointed of Army Commander of Northern Command after Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra’s retirement on 31st May “The General was commissioned into the 4th Gorkha Rifles in 1976 and has extensive staff and command exposure. He Commanded an Infantry Brigade in Kashmir
and a Division in North East. Prior to his current posting, he was the GOC 16 Corps at Nagrota. His staff appointments include tenures at the Military Operations and Operational Logistics Directorates at the Army HQ and Chief Logistics Officer at a United Nations mission. See DS Hooda On PG 11..
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Srinagar, Tuesday 03 June 2014
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FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Omar 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 t file:///C:/Users/AJ/Downloads/CM-2.jpg o 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.
Mehbooba 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. (KNS)
DGP priorities as DGP saying that his focus would be to strengthen the professional policing and provide better service to the public. He said that our aim would be to curb the menace of crime for which public cooperation is of vital importance. Better police public relations would help to achieve desired results, he added. Mr Rajendra said that he is proud to lead a police force which by the dint of its dedication and commitment has earned outstanding reputation at the National level. The force played a sterling role by being in the forefront in fighting terrorism and brought it down to the lowest ebb. The DGP stressed for collective efforts to enhance coordination among all wings of the Organization and other security agencies. Preventive measures and peoples cooperation would help to deliver in a better way. People of the State have lot of expectations from JKP and it is our prime duty to take cognizance of their complaints and ensure quick disposal, he added. DGP said that latest techniques in the field of investigation are necessary to strengthen our policing and for this purpose police training institutions across the State would be upgraded to teach the latest methods of investigation. Modernization of JKP is underway and special thrust would be given to upgrade all components of the Organization. Jammu and Kashmir Police has become a large family and the scope of service has been enlarging. Our jawans and officers are visible in public service at every nook and corner of the State. The force has met with various challenges with courage and fortitude
Zabarwan Times and would be ready to tackle the situations at any time in a befitting manner, DGP added. Maintenance of law and order is our prime duty to ensure congenial atmosphere for all developmental activities in the State. Police public cooperation at grass root level is imperative to achieve our goal and effective measures would be adopted to strengthen our relations with the common people. He reiterated that while performing their duties in hostile conditions, it should be ensured at all costs that innocent people are not made to suffer any inconvenience and special care should be taken for human rights respect, ensuring zero tolerance towards violation of human rights. He stressed upon the officers to start preparedness for ensuing Shri Amar Nath Ji Yatra so that the yatra ends peacefully. Mr. Rajendra said that during the years of turmoil people of the State suffered a lot in all fields of life. A number of our jawans and officers offered sacrifices of their lives while protecting the people and their properties. Sacrifices of our men would always be remembered and we feel it our highest responsibility to take care of the families of martyrs, said the DGP. He said that more welfare schemes would be introduced to benefit the serving personnel and the families of martyrs. The DGP said that Civic Action Programme, which has been started with the aim of providing a bridge between the people and police, besides promoting different sports and cultural activities in the State, would be expanded to all areas of the State at a large scale. This would help to strengthen police public cooperation at all levels and utilize energies of the youth in a positive way. Earlier, before starting the meeting, a two minute silence was observed in honour of martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police, who attained martyrdom while protecting the people during the turmoil. Among others, the meeting was attended by ADsGP, Dr. SP Vaid, Navin Agarwal, VK Singh, SM Sahai and Dilbag Singh, IsGP, Dr. B Srinivas, AK Choudhary, H. K. Lohia, SJM Geelani, AG Mir, MS Salaria, Yoginder Koul, Alok Puri, MA Khan, AS Bali and SL Sharma, MA Ganai and JP Singh, DIsGP, Vijay Kumar, AK Atri, Johney William, SA Mujataba, MM Sadiq, SA Beig, Ali Mohammad, GH Bhat, S Kifayat Hyder, AIsGP, Uttam Chand, AA Kakroo, Tahir Sajad, Rajeshwar Singh and M Rashid and other police officers. (KNS)
Stolen and more recoveries and arrests are expected in the future. He, however, said that it seems an dispute on the proprietor rights on said gas agency. “Concerned we are investigating every aspect and no irregularities will b allowed what so ever would be,” he added. (GNS)
Old anything in his constituency.” Reports stated that after the intervention of the senior police officials, the protesters disbursed peacefully from the spot. (KNS)
Protest 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. (GNS)
Tral
rupees 1,550 (from rupees 1,800 earlier),” reads the advisory issued by the Kotak. It maintained further that accepting the view of the management would also not be completely correct. “We have consistently been worried on the loans outside the state. They tend to be lumpy (the loan accepted as stress is ~1.4% of loans) and part of consortium/multiple banking where the risk is high. The management’s positive view on its top few corporate clients is not a perfect argument as the probability of slippages from large corporate exposure is anyway fairly low. For example, SBI has the bulk of the stress in mid-corporate and SME exposure and limited on the large corporate book. It is the smaller loans that need to be worried about.” Kotak stated that the management’s acceptance of stress in one of the larger accounts substantiates our view that slippages can be fairly lumpy for the loans outside Jammu and Kashmir. This implies that credit costs would be higher and NIMs could head downwards from here to reflect the rising slippages, broadly reiterating our view on the bank over the past few quarters. Besides, the bank has one of the highest exposures to commercial real estate, ~7% of total loans (~12% of loans outside J&K, Exhibits 3-4) of which ~30% was towards one single corporate client as of FY2013, and 25% of total industry exposure is to stressed sectors (infrastructure, textiles, iron and steel and construction, Exhibit 5). “Further, our cautious view on loan impairment within the state remains as well. We expect an increase in stressed assets within J&K as the bank looks to grow in PSL loans, which tend to be highly delinquent in nature.” (KNS)
DS Hooda He is an alumnus of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, Higher command and NDC,” a defence spokesman said. The spokesman added that he is privileged to have taken over this prestigious assignment and is committed to take forward the achievements of all officers and men of Northern Command who are performing the most challenging of tasks under highly demanding circumstances. (GNS)
Accidents Mattan Market near JK Bank, the jurisdiction of police station Mattan, Anantnag, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist. The injured was shifted to Hospital for treatment. Mattan police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, a Tractor bearing registration number JK05D/4264 rammed into fencing at Sagipora Sopore, in the jurisdiction of police station Bomie Sopore, resulting in injuries to a pedestrian. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. Sopore police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, an unknown vehicle hit and injured 17 years old Shazia Gaffar daughter of Abdul Gaffar Khan resident of Udhipora Langate near Batapora Crossing, in the jurisdiction of police station Handwara. She was shifted to hospital for treatment. Handwara police has registered a case in this regard.
Bandipora The motorcycle was also retrieved from the canal. A case has been registered in this regard. (CNS)
Poonch, June 02: One person was killed, while his house got damaged after due to lightning and thunderstorm in border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, police said. Police have identified the deceased as 45-year old Muhammad Shaban son of Ali Muhammad from Loran village of Mandi. “The incident took place at around 3.30 am when Shaban was sleeping in his room. Suddenly, during thunder storm, a strong beam of light hit his house and he also came under its impact,” police told GNS. Initially he was rushed to Mandi Hospital followed by Poonch where doctors referred him to Government Medical College Jammu but Shaban died on the way near Surankote, police said. (GNS)
KTMF
Death of motorcyclist:
Kotak nonperforming, Kotak Mahindra a financial firm stated the events that unfolded today on the exposure outside Jammu and Kashmir—lumpy assets can move NPLs sharply. “Despite a steep correction and inexpensive valuations, we are hesitant to change our rating. Lack of confidence in the reported numbers becomes a key source of concern. Maintain REDUCE with TP at
Srinagar, June 02: The Awami Mutahida Mahaz (AMM) on Monday condemned what it termed as ‘provocative overtures regarding abrogation of Article 370 by the RSS and BJP government and alleged that it is an effort to implement the communal, divisive and anti Kashmiri agenda of the RSS and BJP combine’. “It has to be borne in mind that Kashmir opted for India in the tumultuous year of 1947, not only by virtue of the “Instrument of Accession” but for the “secular credentials” of India and on the promise of being granted a special status and the maximum degree of autonomy within the Union. This promise is enshrined in Article 370 and the constitution of J&K itself,” the AMM said. The AMM said that granting of special status and maximum autonomy is not a favour but a constitutional obligation and if this obligation is not met, the Instrument of Accession would itself be rendered meaningless. If this fact is denied as is done by RSS and the parties affiliated to it, the logical conclusion would be undermining the Union itself. “It has to be understood that the Article 370 is a basic feature of the constitutional relation-
ship between the State and the Union. As such even Parliament cannot amend the constitution to change this provision. Keeping this legal point in view, all the amendments made by a series of Presidential Orders since 1953 are unconstitutional and need to be reviewed. It is imperative because it was in Kashmir that the Indian federalism and democracy with its commitment to a composite culture were tested strongly and were found the most wanting,” the AMM said. The least government of India could do is to restore the article to its original position and grant maximum autonomy to the State with a mechanism which can ensure self governance at regional and sub-regional levels and there remains no room for discrimination and dominance, the AMM said adding the State should be a real federation, where every region and community feels economic, social and cultural security. “Pitting one region or community against another by communal and disruptive forces will result in the balkanization of the State which is in no way acceptable and is extremely harmful for the State and its people,” it added. (GNS)
Militant Hideout busted in North Kashmir
Srinagar, Jun 2 : Army and Handwara police Monday busted an old cave type militant’s hideout and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from Kralsanger Forest in Handwara of Kupwara district, North Kashmir. According to the statement issued to KNS, Bsed on a specific intelligence input, a joint search operation was launched by Army and JKP in the morning today. During the search a cache of arms and ammunition which included one AK-47, one AK-56 , two AK magzine, 22 round AK ammunition, three Chinese hand grenade and three RPG rounds. (KNS)
Man dies due to Russia Gives Ukraine thunderstorm, More Time to Pay for lightening in Poonch Natural Gas
Tral in South Kahsmir’s Pulwama district Protestors said that due to non - availability of ambulance locals of the area are suffering a lot and hardships are being faced while shifting patients from Tral to other hospitals in Srinagar. They said that the hospital was provided with an ambulance which was withdrawn on the pretext of repairing and now even after the expiry of one year, no ambulance has been allotted to the hospital. “Due to non-availability of ambulance in the hospital, the serious patients are being shifted to Srinagar in private passenger vehicles,” a protestor Shabir Ahmed told CNS. When contacted Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman told CNS that he will look into the matter and will provide an ambulance to the hospital. (CNS)
to clear all doubts about the bank’s asset quality. During a meeting of KTMF, Baqal said that being the bank of the common masses, Kashmiri people have right to know what is happening inside the bank. He said that from time to time the traders of Kashmir had closed door meetings with the bank officials but till date those meetings yielded no positive results. Baqal alleged that some arrogant officials of the Bank instead of addressing the problems of traders always find ways and means to add them. “Every Kashmirs has his saving in this bank and they have right to know about the status and condition of the Bank. Bank officials must come out with a white paper to clear its position on NPA,” Baqal said adding that the lower of interest rate by the bank does not mean that traders will act as mute spectators. Muhammad Sadiq Baqal according to CNS said that instead of utilizing its resources outside Jammu and Kashmir, the Bank should concentrate on the state and should immediately address the problems of traders who incurred heavy losses during 2010 unrest. “Time has come that JK Bank change its strategy and its officials must change their attitude towards customers who are the back bone of this bank,” he said. (CNS)
AMM lashes out at Central Government
Locals blocked water supply to Atwatoo Power Station
Srinagar, June 2: Agitated protestors blocked the water supply to Atwatoo Power Station on Monday after the death of a motorcyclist who plunged into Atwatoo canal after losing control over his bike. Protestors alleged that the death of the youth resulted due to sheer negligence of Atwatoo power station authorities as according to them they have failed to do fencing of this ‘dangerous’ canal. Pertinently, on Sunday evening, a motorcyclist Ajaz Ahmad Sheer Gojri son of Abdul Ahad resident of Quil Muqam Bandipora lost control over his bike and plunged into Atwatoo canal that resulted into his death. On Monday morning hundreds of people from Atwatoo and its adjoining areas took to street
and blocked the water supply to the Atwatoo power station. Due to blocking of the water supply, the whole area reeled under darkness. “It is the responsibility and job of the authorities of Atwatoo power station to do fencing of the canal. The canal is wide open from both sides as a result any vehicle or bike plunges into it whenever an accident takes place. Last year, a youth lost his life when his vehicle plunged into this ‘dangerous’ canal,” one of the protestors Wahid Ahmed told CNS. Reports said that despite the intervention of the police, protestors did not restore water supply to the power station and demanded immediate fencing of the open canal. An official of Atwatoo power station told CNS
MOSCOW — Russia’s state-controlled energy giant, Gazprom, on Monday pushed back by a week its ultimatum to Ukraine to pay in advance for natural gas or face a shutoff. It also lowered its asking price, signaling a softening of its stance in the two countries’ pipeline politics. Gazprom’s decision followed an easing in tensions between Russia and Ukraine in diplomatic and military matters and was the clearest indication yet that Moscow’s economic pressure, at least in the short term, would let up now as well. Ukraine has been highly dependent on Russian gas, giving the Kremlin powerful leverage over Kiev. But Gazprom is constrained in what it can do by falling spot gas prices on the European market and new pipeline policies in eastern Europe that are opening up alternative sources of gas for Ukraine. Further improving the atmosphere, the Ukrainian state oil and gas company, Naftogaz, made a partial payment Monday of $786 million to Gazprom for gas already delivered.Separatist fighters during an attack on a district border control headquarters on Monday in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk. President Vladimir V. Putin was greeted by President Xi Jinping in Shanghai during his visit to China. Ukraine Crisis Pushing Putin Toward ChinaMAY 19, 2014President Xi Jinping of China, left, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia met on Wednesday at a conference in Shanghai.China and Russia Reach 30Year Gas DealMAY 21, 2014Gazprom’s chief executive, Aleksei B. Miller, said that in light of that, the deadline for pre-payment on future deliveries was moved to June 9 from June 2. Gazprom also offered a concession on price, with Mr. Miller telling reporters in Moscow that its asking price would be lowered to $385 per 1,000 cubic meters from $485, putting it on a par with price levels in Europe.
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SRINAGAR | TUESDAY
4 rapes reported in a day in UP after Badaun outrage, CM under fire Multiple new violent sex crimes also belongs. der Fatehpur district, 80 km east against women were reported from The opposition Bharatiya Janata of Kanpur. The man, identified as Uttar Pradesh on Monday, as politi- Party (BJP), buoyed by its strong vicChotey Sahu, 24, was arrested. cal heat mounted on chief minister tory in UP in the recent Lok Sabha Reports also came in on Monday Akhilesh Yadav to quickly crack elections, sought to make political that a woman was allegedly gangdown on rapes that appear to have capital of the rapes, holding a noisy raped and thrown in a ditch in Sospiked on his watch. protest outside the chief minister’s fipur village under Basai MohamNew rapes were reported from office in Lucknow on Monday. PoMeerut, Firozpur, Fatehpur and Ba- lice used water cannons to break reilly where a 22-year-old woman up the gathering, mostly of womwas killed after her attackers gang- en party workers who displayed raped her and forced acid down her bangles they said were meant for throat. Sex crimes in Uttar Pradesh the chief minister. have hit international headlines folWhile political protests and lowing the rape and hanging of two outrage poured in so did new regirls, aged 12 and 14, who had gone ports of rapes from across the out to relieve themselves at night state that drew condemnation in Katra Saadatganj village, Badaun even from the United Nations on district, last week. Monday. A wave of outrage, from OppoIn Meerut, a 10-year-old girl sition political parties to women’s playing outside her home was activists, has hit the state govern- abducted and gang-raped by unmadpur police station of Firozabad ment which stands accused of not identified men who later also tried district. She was spotted by police only failing to stop rapes but also to run her over with their car. She and admitted to the local governdragging its feet over the Badaun escaped with some broken bones, ment hospital. Three people had case where some of the suspects local police said. Another young girl been arrested, DIG, Agra Range, Kangan Khan Vijay NewsSingh Agency Ganderbal hail from the powerfulLone YadavNews com-Agency was raped by a man at knifepoint Meena told HT by telemunity, to which the chief minister in her house Gulzar News Agency Sourain Gavada village unZahidphone. Book Depot Chadoora
Zabarwan Times is available at
In the fourth incident, a 22-yearold woman was allegedly gangraped and made to swallow acid in Bareilly. She was then strangulated. Her body with the face mutilated was recovered from a field in Aithpura village on Saturday. The autopsy report came in on Monday, Special Superintendent of Police J Ravindra Gaur said, adding that there was a possibility that the victim was from Uttarakhand. A police team has been sent there. Meanwhile, police said they were building a watertight case using forensic evidences in the Badaun rapes. “We are relying on forensic evidences and have called the team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) from Lucknow to collect all possible evidences from the crime scene,” Atul Saxena, superintendent of police, Badaun told HT by phone. A government source said forensic experts had found some strands of hair from the crime scene. Local police had been asked to hand over
Tariq News Agency Hawal Bashir News Agency Nowhatta Muzaffar Ali News Agency Alamgari Bazar Budshah News Agency Lal Chowk Abdullah News Agency Lal Chowk Sikendar News Agency Lal Chowk Gupkari News Agency Lal Chowk Raina News Agency Gund Kangan Khan News Agency Regal Chowk Rashid News Agency Dalgate Sheikh News Agency Hyderpora Hilal News Agency Budgam Lone News Agency Tangmarg Bhat News Agency Chadoora KULGAM, JUNE02: Mingovernment for improving in marked improvement in Bhat News Agency Magam and in- the socio-economic Zargar News Agency ister for Social Welfare, Msquality of education well-be-Kunzar SakinaItoo today inaugurated She saidscores ing ofBashir the people. Dar Newsfrastructure. Agency Beerwah News Agency Sumbal the two storey, high Reshi schoolNews of new schools, Degree and “Across the News state hundreds Agency Safapora Saleem Agency Pattan building atvillage Tangmarg, polytechnic colleges, besides of developmental projects exBasharat News Agency Bandipora Reyaz News Agency Pampore JAMMU, JUNE 02-ConAltaf News Agency Pulwama Javaid News Agency Qazigund tinuing with its efforts to Jeelani News Agency Baramulla G.M News Agency Sopore enforce mandatory declaShah News Agency Kupwara Sultan News Agency Handwara rations on all pre-packed goods for the information Younis News Agency Langate Sheikh News Agency Islamabad consumers, the departReshi News Agency Islamabad Three Way News AgencyofTral ment Turray News Agency Tral Badru News Agency Bijbehara of Legal Metrology has charged Rs 1.25 lakh Rahi News Agency Kulgam Malik News Agency Arwani fine from five companies Rah News Agency Byepass Shaheen News Agency Kargil dealing with sale of eat-
Education sector has seen vast improvement in State: Sakina
Kulgam, constructed under RMSA. The building has been completed by expending Rs. 40 lakhs. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the variousinitiatives taken by the coalition
Central Universities have been established during the present dispensation. She also highlighted other important developmental initiatives taken across various sectors which have resulted
tending basic civic amenities to the people living in remote and far-off areas have been carried out by the government and lives of people have been positively impacted by these initiatives”, she added.
LMD dept slaps Rs 1.25 lakh fine on 5 National Level companies for violating laws
ables like Papad, chocolates, Biscuits & other household items for violating the provisions of the related laws .According to Manoj Prabhakar, Deputy Controller Legal Metrology (Consumer Protection),all the pre-packed goods which are being packed in the absence of consumers must declare legibly & conspicuously Net Weight & Max Retail price( In-
Feroz gives away Innovative Science and Technology Awards, Scholarships JAMMU, JUNE 02:- Minister of State for Science and Technology, School Education Feroz Ahmed Khan today gave away J&K Innovative Science and Technology Awards 2013 to three teachers and distributed J&K Science and Technology Scholarships (2013) among selected students here today at a function held at GGM Science College. The awards and scholarships have been instituted by J&K State Council for Science and Technology Department of Science and Technology J&K to recognize the contribution of teachers in promotion of innovation among students and encourage children with scientific temper to put their innovation to use. Among the teachers the award recipients included two college lec-
turers and one Plus two lecturer. Director Colleges, Director School Education, Principal of the College besides faculty members, students in large number and par-
ents were present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister hailed the students and teachers for their achievements
and getting Science and Technology scholarship / awards. He said that Science and Technology department endeavors to harness the potential of Science and Technology as an instrument of socio-economic change. He said that the department strives to ensure that efforts in Science and Technology are not only restricted to scientific laboratories and academic institutions but percolate to the grass roots and used for economic growth. He assured full cooperation to the college management in its science and technological ventures . Director Colleges also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the activities of the college.
Slathia reviews arrangements for Baba Chamliyal, Sidh Goria Melas SAMBA, JUNE 02- Former Minister and Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Vijaypur Surjit Singh Slathia today chaired meetings of the District Administration at the shrines of Baba Sidh Goriya and Baba Chamliyal and took stock of the arrangements made for the annual Melas being held at the two shrines. Mela at Baba Chamliyal shrine situated close to international border at Ramgarh sector will be held on 26th June, while at the shrine of Baba Sidh Goriya in village Swankha it will be a weeklong event commencing from 6th July, 2014. He assured the people that the government was taking every possible step to facilitate the devotees visiting at these shrines. Slathia issued directions to the concerned Officers to provide uninterrupted power and water supply to these shrines well in advance and during Mela days. He also directed the PWD (R&B) department to renovate the roads leading from the National Highway to these Shrines and also
take up black topping of the road around Baba Sidh Goriya Shrine. He further directed the concerned Officers to take due care of sanitation in and around the shrines in view of huge congregation of devotees arriving on the Melas days. He also passed instructions to the legal metrology and CAPD departments to keep a check on the quality, hygiene and rates of the food items being sold by the vendors there. Earlier DDC samba RK Varma Informed that two meetings were already taken to discuss necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of these occasions. Slathia also reviewed the security arrangements and preparedness related to Fire and Emergency Services, health facilities, mobile service network, traffic regulation etc.Later, Slathia, also chaired a meeting of District Officers to discuss arrangements in connection with visit of Baba Ji Radha Swami to Thandi Khui in the 2nd week of June.
the girls’ clothes for further examination. In Badaun, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan met the family of the two girls, who were cousins, and alleged the government was “colluding” with those accused in the case. Since the grisly incident, the village has seen a parade of political leaders as well as national and international media. The rapes in Badaun have laid bare the reality of caste atrocities in the hinterlands of India. Four of the five suspects are from the Yadav community, a powerful land-owning caste that holds political sway in Uttar Pradesh. The victims were from the Shakyas, by tradition peasant farmers who are often vulnerable to exploitation by the Yadavs. Five people, including two police constables Sarvesh Yadav and Chatrapal Yadav, have been arrested in the case so far. Three other accused are Pappu Yadav, Awadesh Yadav and Urvesh Yadav of the same village.
clusive of all taxes) along with Packing date, address of the packer/Importer & consumer helpline numbers on the label securely affixed on the goods.On inspection of big sale stores in Jammu, it was observed that products were offered for sale to the consumers without declaring all these declarations & even small self made stickers were being used for the purpose & the manner of putting such stickers was such that it primafacia apperars to be at the concealed locations. The Law provides that it should be declared un ambiguously at the conspicuous place with proper font size so that consumer can clearly
see it & evaluate the price factor viz a viz the quality of the product. Some of the deceptive packages were offered with lucrative schemes with enhanced prices to lure the gullible consumers.Taking the cognizance of the matter in respect of deficiencies, the department seized the products & issued notice to all companies to strictly comply with the existing provisions of law in the interest of consumers & till rectification ,no sale shall be made of the deceptive goods. The management of the companies pleaded guilty & applied for composition with the assurance to correct the labeling procedure.
Excise sleuths foil willow cleft smuggling JAMMU, JUNE 02: The Excise sleuths at Toll Post Lakhanpur foiled a bid to smuggle Willow Clefts out of the J&K state. A vehicle bearing registration No. JK02W-5121 apprehended by the Excise sleuths on duty during the intervening night of 30/31 May 2014 at about 12:45 AM. The driver of the vehicle fled away leaving behind his truck. On physical checking of the vehicle it was found loaded with 4550 No’s. of “willow clefts’ The whole operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Dy. Excise Commissioner, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed alongwith Excise & Taxation Officers, Mr. Ravi Chand Thakur, Sanjay Bhat, Lekh Raj, Sahil Jandiyal, Suresh Kumar and Naeem-ul Rehman Moghal and other officials. This is another major achievement of seizure of willow clefts by the Excise Staff at Toll Post Lakhanpur during this current financial year. Transportation of willow clefts outside the state is banned under J & K Willow Act 2000.
Power shut down
JAMMU, JUNE 02-To carry out erection of 132 KV
SF-6 Breaker (CGL) make in 132 KV Bus Coupler by at 132/33 KV Grid Station Sidhra, the power supply to parts of Janipur, Jhajjar Kotli, Bahufort, Sidhra, ASCOMS, Malori Jagir, Bajalta and Toota-de-Khoi shall remain affected on June 4, 2014 from 7 a m to 1 p m.
Several deputations call on PHE Minister JAMMU, JUNE 02- Several Deputations today called on Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma here at summer secretariat and projected developmental demands under PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sector.Senior officers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control were also present on the occasion.Deputations of farmers from different parts of Jammu district projected their demands including repair of damaged bunds through crate work, better provision of drinking water, desilting of irrigation channels besides immediate repair of motors at lift irrigation installations in the district. The Minister directed the concerned departments to start repair of damaged bunds, defunct motors to provide better irrigation facilities to the farmers. The Minister said that special attention was being paid to augment the irrigation facilities in the state to achieve the goal of self sufficiency in the food grain production. He said that all available sources in highly productive areas of the state are being utilized to provide better irrigation facilities to the farmers.
No Tobacco Day: GBHSS Bhaderwah takes out awareness rally BHADERWAH, JUNE 02- The Higher Secondary School Boys Bhaderwah today took
out an awareness rally to mark No Tobacco Day.The rally was organised under the guidance of Principal Mr. Ajit Singh Kotwal.Addressing the students before flagging off the rally, Mr. Kotwal listed the hazards of smoking and said it is bad for health and increases the risk of cancer. He appealed the students to stay away from bad society and advised them to save their life from getting spoiled by the bad habits like smoking. He said smoking causes frustration among those addicted and hamper their progress in life.Later, the rally passed through main markets of the town with the participants holding placards with awareness messages like “Smoking Kills”, “Smoking Causes Cancer” etc.
03. 06 .2014
HOROSCOPE Aries
March 21-April 19
Don’t discount your ability to be extremely resourceful if you need to be, Aries. If you don’t have everything you need or all of the required information, take time to think. Who can you ask? What places can you access? Who might know where you can find what you need? Rather than panic because the pieces aren’t all there, instead make a list of contacts and go for it. Trust in yourself.
Taurus April 20-May 20
Try not to let today’s blues get you down, Taurus. While it’s true that some days can seem to drag on, the busier you are the faster time will pass. Get down to finishing any work still before you and then make plans for tonight. If there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, not only will things seem to speed up but you’ll feel better knowing it’s coming.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Dare to be different, Gemini. It can be so easy to fall into a drill. Sleeping at the same time, eating at the same time, wearing the same style, and going about work the same way day after day. Before you know it, you feel like you’re in a rut. The only way to get away from this is to make a decision to break free by doing something unique. Try a new haircut. Wear colors that are unusual for you. If the need is there, consider a new career. Pursue expansion.
Cancer June 22-July 22
If your lifestyle is considerably different than that of others, resist feeling self-conscience about it today, Cancer. Try to remember that you chose the life you have for specific reasons. Even if you’ve come to a point where you’re considering a change, there’s no need to feel badly, ashamed, or embarrassed about where you are now. Everyone has to make his or her own way. If this conforms to the norm, that’s fine. If it doesn’t, that’s fine, too.
Leo
July 23-August 22 An enhanced feeling of determination could motivate you today, Leo. Finish the things that aren’t complete and make some plans for this evening. Don’t hesitate to take on something that feels complicated or big. Chances are you’ll be able to handle most anything and it will feel great when it’s finished. Enjoy your day by making the most of opportunity.
Virgo
August 23-September 22
Feeling the effects of today’s energies, Virgo? Take heart if this is the case, because the end of the tunnel isn’t as far away as it seems. Do your best to take things one step at a time and see about making some plans for a little fun this evening. Get together with friends or take in a movie. Help yourself feel better by staying busy and focused and follow up with some recreation. Before you know it, the aspect will pass and you’ll be back to normal.
Libra
September 23-October 23 Consider making some plans for a vacation or short getaway, Libra. Looking forward to something fun can make even the toughest of days far easier to handle. You’ll be amazed how much you can manage when there’s an end in plain sight. Your entire attitude can lighten. So take the bull by the horns and create an incentive for yourself. Do something special to reward the hard work you do day after day.
Scorpio
October 24-November 21 Don’t judge someone if he or she has a different lifestyle than what you consider to be OK, Scorpio. You probably lean toward the traditional, yet not everyone feels this way about relationships, working, or lifestyle. While it may seem impossible to understand and even frighten you, try not to be too harsh on those you deem odd. You’d be better off using that energy to keep your own life on track.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Friends seeking advice or a shoulder to cry on could be plentiful today, Sagittarius. You’re one of best people to give them the support and care they need. Just be sure that you don’t give so much to others that you don’t have anything left for yourself. True friendship is about sharing and the exchange of problems and help. Running yourself down will leave you in a place where you aren’t going to be much help to anyone.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Getting through today shouldn’t pose too big a problem for you, Capricorn. You may feel a huge second wind that can give you the drive and determination to see your chores and projects through. Make some plans for this evening, such as getting together with friends or taking in an event that really intrigues you. Until then, go about your tasks bit by bit. You’ll get things finished before you know it.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Working within boundaries and restrictions could really get to you today, Aquarius. Yours is an independent spirit and your best achievements are often born of doing things your own way. Yet like it or not, we all have to follow guidelines and rules. Do your best to follow suit and finish what needs to be done. Afterward, you may find more freedom to act independently without consequences. Exercise patience and diligence as needed today.
Pisces
February 19-March 20 Chances are that you’ll feel upbeat and positive today, Pisces. Consider sharing this energy with those around you who are feeling less than content. Your attitude can have a profound effect on friends, partners, spouses, and children. Even neighbors and extended family can pick up on your spirit without you even realizing it. Share your optimism with everyone you can today. If you see someone hurt or angry.
EDITORIAL// OPINION OPINION EDITORIAL Frequent Electionroad accidents-a matter preparedness at of concern full swing
A T
he traffic accidents
s the electionsmore to the consumes preLokcious Sabha have been lives than the announced, Return-inmilitancythe related ing Officers in different parts of cidents, is a shocking revelation is indicative the country which have gone all out of the pathetic condition of our for the election preparedness roads traffic so thatand freethe andprevalent fair elections management system. Undoubtare made possible, the code of edly the already deficient road conduct is implemented inisreal connectivity in the state in a perspective and more and more very bad condition and the frevoters enrolledare in the quentare accidents thevoter result lists. The training of these depletedprogrammes roads. Leave aside the roads small for Booth Levelleading Officerstohave towns and villages, thestarted Nationalready started so have al Highway from Baramulla the meetings of the concernedto Srinagar and From Srinagar to officers with the political parties Anantnag, highways are nothto awareness the ingcreate but death traps. about The widenwhole electoral process. Today ing and upgrading of this highspecial camps are being all way has resulted in held frequent accidents and unending traffic over the country so that young jams have become unbearable voters are given a final chance and intolerable for commuters. to enroll themselves and caste Nobody in the govt. is bothered their valuable vote for electto see what ailing this project ing Thisso andtheir why representatives. it has been delayed election is called mother of long. Perhaps forthe R&B Minister all because electheelections only road in the the valley lies tion situation is totally between Gupkar and different Civil Secretariat, seems to be the from thewhich previous elections. first priority of the R&B dept. As there is no political group which has become a den for coror alliance which seems to be ruption and where reportedly in total command throughout lakhs of rupees change hands the hence thetransfer Electionof forcountry, the posting and Commission has more responjunior engineers to chief engisibilities to hold free and fair neers. This dept. is as if it is the elections has theand rep-adpropertyas of India its political ministrative heads. utation of being not The only roads the in the rest of the valley as comlargest democracy of the world pared Jammu are instituin such but alsotobecause of the a bad that the accition of condition Election Commission dents cannot be avoided. Simwhich the test ilarly has thealways trafficstood management of andisremained inthe thetime state so poor unthat biased in whatever the condianybody can acquire driving tions. Theagainst elections to the Lok licence payment without qualifying Sabha will be heldthe in necessary 9 phases testelaborate and ply any vehicle of his and security arrangechoice. corruption at evments areThe being made to make ery level in traffic dept. and the situation conducive for the regional transport office is a voters who expected to cast known factare but no efforts have their vote without any coercion ever been made to check this or threat perception. There are bad practice to save the lives some areas whichofarepassengers over senof hundreds who like become road sitive Northvictims East andofJamaccidents. The mu & Kashmir and over-loading as usual the has become a normal thing. Election Commission is makPeople sitting on busarrangetops and ing proper security on sumos often fall down and ments theselives areas. or If we take loose in their become example of Panchayat handicap for wholeelections of their in J&K, the large particilife. There is anscale urgent need pation may be surely an indicato prioritise the R&B sector and give under and tor that thisittime alsoan theable voters honest minister and dedicatwill turn in bulk to cast their ed officers so that the vote. It is imperative thatmoney the is spent in a justified manner. people particularly the young The traffic management should generation votes in so view that of only be modernized the those representatives are electrush of vehicles. The inherent ed who have and goodshortcomings image and weaknesses spotless carrier and willremoved serve of this dept. need to be in order to save the lives the the people in a better way of and passengers frequent road mitigate theirfrom problems. accidents.
T
Daily Daily
Zabarwan ZabarwanTimes Times
Srinagar, Tuesday June2014 2014 Srinagar, Sunday 09 03 March
Building not just Roads but Nation
ransport system is considered as the life line of any nation. Road Infrastructure, because of its easy accessibility, flexibility in operation, door to door service and reliability occupies a dominant position in the transportation system. It is vital for unleashing economic growth and is a critical component of all inclusive growth. In the last few decades, Road transport in India has registered tremendous growth and has become the most preferred mode of transport. The share of road transport in carrying the passengers and goods is more than 80% and 60% of the total passenger and freight movement respectively.
Road Network India has huge network of roads totalling about 46.90 lakh km. The road density in India at present is nearly 1.43 km per sq. km of area which compares favourably with many countries. Responsibility of development of this network rests with the Central Government, State Governments and local Government. National Highways (NH), having total length of 82,803 km, constitutes less than 2% of the total road network. However, these are the main arteries carrying more than 40% of the total road traffic. Development of NHs is the responsibility of the Central Government. Good and efficient transport infrastructure is an essential pre-requisite for the economic growth of a nation. It has been the endeavor of the Government to provide speedy, safe and efficient road transport network. It is recognized that modernisation of infrastructure is the key to attain higher GDP. India’s Transport sector as a whole contributes about 5.5% to the GDP, with road transport contributing the lion’s share. India has emerged as one of the fastest growing economy in the world. According to experts, India could unleash its full potential, provided, it improves the infrastructure facilities, which are at present not sufficient to meet the growing demand of the economy. To address emerging demand by catching up with the economic and social growth of the country, a massive Road development programme has been
taken up in the country.
NHDP The National Highways Development Project (NHDP) is the flagship programme, for development of less developed areas, dedicated regional programmes like the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the North-East (SARDP-NE) and the Special Programme for the Left Wing Extremism affected areas have also been taken up. Now, there are plans for building up Expressways in the Country. Three projects i.e. Eastern Peripheral Expressway in National Capital Region, Delhi - Meerut Expressway and Mumbai – Vadodra Expressway covering about 650 km are targeted during the current financial year. Planning for Bengaluru – Chennai and Delhi – Jaipur Expressways are also in advance stages. All these Expressways will be fully access controlled roads on green field alignment. To meet with the massive requirement of funds, innovative means of financing and financing strategies which inter alia include cess on fuel, private sector participation including foreign investment, borrowing from the market as well as budgetary support have been adopted. A major step was to attract foreign as well as domestic investments through Public Private Partnership (PPP). Involving the private sector would lead to increasing efficiency with the help of using modern technology. The private sector has more flexible procurement and decision-making procedures and therefore, it can speed up implementation efforts. Allowing private sector to raise capital/funds has paved the way for the Government to use its scarce resources efficiently and effectively. Several new materials of road construction are also emerging that would need to be encouraged depending upon their cost effectiveness. For development of National Highways in the Country in the 12 five year plan targets to invest Rs 1,44,769 crores from budgetary support, Rs 64,834 crores from IEBR and Rs 1,87,995 crores from private sector participation. Launched in 1998, the NHDP program represents the largest road construction project ever undertaken to boost
the development of the National Highways in the country. The program is aimed at the development of about 50,000 km of National Highways. Golden Quadrilateral which provides four-lane connectivity between four metros, is complete, while the NorthSouth-East-West (NSEW) corridor is about to be completed. Four laning and six laning is underway at many places and progressing at brisk pace, despite the hurdles in land acquisition, obtaining environment and forest clearances, high cost debt etc,. So far work on more than 21,000 km have been completed and in about 12,350 km works are in progress. Other flagship regional programmes which includes SARDP-NE and roads in LWE affected areas covers development of about 12,000 km of roads out of which work has already been completed in about 3800 kms.
Mode of Projects The emphasis has been to take up progressively more and more infrastructure projects through private sector participation on BOT (Toll) basis so that more public funds are available for social sectors such as Health, Education, etc. However, it would not be practically possible to take up development of the majority of the highway stretches on BOT (Toll) mode. This has reflected in the recent trends of bidding when in majority of roads projects we could not get the favourable response. Accordingly, recently, Ministry has decided to take up road projects as turnkey Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contracts basis which would help to reduce construction time and is expected to improve quality of work as well. Also, in this system the objective to garner private sector efficiency is retained and the private entrepreneurs are free to use new technology to speed up their works
New Initiatives E-Tolling The experience on present tolling system is associated with congestion and delays at toll plazas. To overcome this, Government has decided adoption of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system across National
Highways in India, which would enable toll to be collected electronically from vehicles at toll plazas while the vehicle is in motion. Pilot projects have already been taken up in this regard which will pave way for nationwide interoperable ETC at all the toll plazas on National Highways by 2014. New Materials Besides financing, such a mammoth development programme requires huge amount of natural resources. As such conservation of the material is area of concern for all. There is a need to save scarce physical resource like aggregates, sand, earth, cement, bitumen, etc. looking to huge programme of construction of highways in the country. On the other hand, the Nation is facing problem of the disposal & storage of industrial waste like fly-ash, copper slag, marble slurry, etc. Efforts are on in utilizing these waste materials in construction of roads through complete/ partial replacement of conventional materials. Cashless Treatment of accident Victims (A Road Safety initiative) India has the dubious distinction of having maximum number of fatalities on roads. During the year 2011, there were around 5 lakh road accidents resulting in the deaths of over 1.42 lakh people. Each day, nearly 390 people die on our roads. In India more than half of road accident victims are in the age group 20-65 years. The loss of the main bread earner and head of household due to death or disability can be catastrophic, leading to lower living standards and poverty, in addition to the human cost of bereavement. This is an unacceptable price to pay for mobility. The Ministry has already taken up multi-pronged strategy in his regard. The latest milestone in this area is a Pilot Project for “implementation of cashless medical treatment to the accident victims” for the first 48 hours. Under this scheme accident victims will be provided free treatment during this period as a result immediate relief can be provided to the accident victim, which will go a long way in reducing fatalities on our road. Completion of programmes already taken up is expected to go a long way in contributing towards building the Nation.
Empowering Mentally Ill to Live with Dignity
M
ental health represents a critical indicator of human development, serves as a key determinant of well-being, quality of life and is the basis for social stability. Social and economic impact of poor mental health is pervasive and far reaching, leading to poverty, high unemployment rates, poor educational and health outcomes, among others. There is a need for a wider recognition of mental and emotional well-being as a core indicator of human development, and it is necessary to integrate a mental health and psychosocial perspective into all development and humanitarian policies, programmes. Persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities represent a significant proportion of the world’s population. One in four people globally experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. Almost one million people die due to suicide every year and depression is ranked third in the global burden of disease, and is projected to rank first in 2030. In India prevalence of mental disorders is 6-7% for common mental disorders and 1-2% for severe mental disorders. Treatment gap for severe mental disorders is approximately 50% and in case of Common mental Disorders it is over 90%.With such a magnitude of mental disorders it becomes necessary to promote mental health services for the well being of general population, in addition to provide treatment for mental illnesses. Persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities often face stigma and discrimination due to widely held misconceptions about the causes and nature of mental health conditions. Persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities also experience high levels of physical abuse. They encounter restrictions in their exercise of socio-politico-economic rights
in the majority of countries, largely due to the false assumption that they are not able to carry out their responsibilities, manage their own affairs and make decisions about their lives. Though mental health conditions are one of the leading causes of disability, persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities often lack resources to maintain basic living standards. Furthermore, they are one of the most neglected and discriminated groups in development policies and programmes. Integration of mental health into development efforts is a cost effective pro-poor strategy. There are cost effective treatments available for most mental illnesses, and effective treatment is associated with reductions in overall health-care costs. Child development, education, health, social welfare policies and programmes must integrate mental and psychosocial aspects. In India, National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) was started in 1982 with the objectives to ensure availability and accessibility of minimum mental health care for all, to encourage mental health knowledge and skills and to promote community participation in mental health service development and to stimulate self-help in the community. Gradually, the approach of mental health care services has shifted from hospital based care (institutional) to community based mental health care, as majority of mental disorders do not require hospitalization and can be managed at community level. During IX five year plan, District Mental Health Programme was initiated (1996) and at present DMHP is covering 123 districts in 30 States and UTs. In addition to early identification and treatment of mentally ill, District Mental Health Programme has now incorporated promotive and pre-
ventive activities for positive mental health which includes; School Mental Health services; College Counselling services; work place stress management and suicide prevention services. Efforts are being made to improve human resource availability in mental health sector so that mentally ill gets required attention and persons having a predilection for mentally illness can get good advice, counselling at the initial stages itself. Components of NHMP are being brought under the overall umbrella of National Rural Health Mission so that the States are able to plan requirements concerning Mental Health services as part of the respective project plans. Rs.623.45 crore has been approved as XI plan outlay (upto 2012) for the National Mental Health Programme. However, recognizing the difficulties/ stigma faced by mentally ill persons the Government is in the process of providing a humane, patient centric legal framework for mentally ill patients. The proposed Mental Health Care bill can be a ‘Game changer’ in the life of millions of mentally ill persons who were often victims of inhuman and degrading treatment, abuse and ridicule, both at the community level and at health care delivery establishments. The proposed Mental Health Care bill is significant in terms of Rights’ Approach that is being adopted to give pre-eminence to the preferences and opinion of the mentally ill person to a major extent. Provisions like ‘Advance Directive’ empowers every person to make directive on how he wishes to be cared and treated for mental illness or not. Other salient provisions are;· A mentally ill person admitted to a mental health establishment shall have a right to receive or refuse visitors, phone calls, mail,etc · A mentally ill person has a right
to have treatment in his locality / residence and can prefer only minimum treatment/care at mental health establishments. This is to ensure that the patient is allowed to live in, be part of and not be segregated from society to the extent possible · Every patient has a right to protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and the mental health establishment shall be safe, clean with facilities for education, recreation, religious practices. · No patient shall be forced to undertake work and subject to compulsory shaving of head and wearing of uniforms. · Mental illness may be made eligible for medical insurance coverage. · Government is duty-bound to plan, implement mental health programmes and create awareness about mental health and illness to reduce the associated with mental illness · Every person will have access to mental health care and treatment at affordable cost, of good quality and of requisite quantity, accusable to the report, their families and care givers · Government should interpret mental health services into general health care services at all levels in all health programmes. · Government shall arrange good quality care and treatment in hospitals funded by government and in case of non availability in nearby place; refund the costs of treatment to the patient. To conclude, a mentally well person means a healthy society and developed nation. It is not enough if we have best health care services, protective legislation unless the stigma, discrimination and widely held misconceptions attached to mental illness are weeded out and community becomes more empathetic towards such persons.
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