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THURSDAY 15 May | 2014 | 15 Rajab, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 |
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Police finally arrests Chota Geelani 01 died, 04 injured in road accidents Srinagar, May 14: One person died while as four persons were injured in different road accidents across the valley. According to statement issued to KNS, a school bus bearing registration number JK09/8248 hit and injured two boys Wahid Firdous Wani son of Firdous Ahmad Wani and Momin Manzoor son of Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh residents of Chotipora, Handwara at Chotipora, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Handwara. Wahid Firdous died on spot while Momin Manzoor was shifted to hospital for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, a Santro bearing registration number JK03B/7768 hit a motorcycle driven by Arbaz Ahmad Rangrez resident of Lal Chowk, Anantnag bearing registration number JK03A/3103 at Sarnal Anantnag, in the jurisdiction of Police Station See Accidents On PG 11..
Alert sounded across J&K after police officer’s vehicle stolen Srinagar, May 14: The Jammu and Kashmir police Wednesday sounded an alert across the state after the vehicle allotted to the department’s top lawyer was stolen in summer capital Srinagar during the intervening night. A top police officer told GNS that the Maruti Gypsy allotted to the Chief Prosecuting Officer (CPO) of the CID wing was lifted during the night from outside a hotel in Raj Bagh area of the city. The vehicle bearing no JKO2P 6904 was parked outside Hotel See Vehicle On PG 11..
Inside story Dr Karan Singh visits Kheer Bhawani and ICCR cultural centre
Srinagar, May 14: Dr Karan Singh Wednesday visited Kheer Bhawani and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and interacted with a number of eminent Kashmiri intellectuals. According to CNS, Dr Karan Singh who is also the chairman and Trustee of Dharmarth Trust expressed satisfaction after observing the improvements carried out by the Trust over the last year at Kheer Bhawani temple. Singh also visited ICCR Cultural Centre at Kral Sangri, where he was re-
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On Edit Page In distress, farming community deserves Govt. attention The uncertainty created by the weather for Rabi crops has made the farming community very panicky as the chances of good crop are diminishing with every passing day. There seems to be no let up in the rain and cold wave conditions which have already destroyed several seeds particularly paddy seeds. The cold weather hailstorm and fast winds have also damaged several fruits, thus making the prospect of good yield in horticulture
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WEATHER FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS: FORECAST OF SRINAGAR: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 26°C & 13°C
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Firing range has severely damaged flora and fauna Srinagar, May 14 : The forest department has recommended that Tosa Maidan firing range which has sofar reportedly claimed over 75 people besides damaging thousands of green trees be handed over to Pehjan wild life department as an Eco-Sensitive Zone. According to an official letter bearing number 1254/SKNG dated March 3, 2014, the divisional forest officer Pir Panjal Forest Range has been prayed for necessary action. Pertinently, the Pehjan wildlife sanctuary is located in between Tosa Maidan firing range and Gulmarg. The field firing range exists within three kilometers of radius from the Pehjan wild life sanctuary, a forest department official told KNS. “The Tosa Maidan field firing
range has damaged huge number of trees in forest compartment of S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S21, S22, S23 and S24 of Sukhnag range. Further the field firing
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range has also damaged the human life in Kothas temporarily used by nomads at Tosa Maidan,” reads an See Report On PG 11..
Srinagar, May 14 : Police on Thursday detained several youth in North and South Kashmir including the notorious ‘stone thrower’ Chota Geelani. Public Safety Act has been slapped against one person namely Zahoor Ahmad Malla- shifting him to Sub- Jail Kupwara. According to the reports received by KNS, the Shopian police detained the alleged stone thrower famous by the name of Chotta Geelani while as in Baramulla, PSA has been slapped against a youth Zahoor Ahmad Malla. In north Kashmir’s Bandipora, people protested against the detention of the youth whose marriage is scheduled to be held in next week and asked for his immediate release. The relatives’ of this youth (Zahoor Malla) joined by some locals held protests against slapping of PSA against him. Reports maintained that a month ago, Zahoor Ahmad Malla was arrested on the charges of smuggling timber and FIR number 15/2014 was registered under section 379 and 6 forest act. Police sources told KNS that a local court recently ordered the release of Zahoor but the person was wanted in the police list in connection with the cases registered against him in the year 2010 related
to the stone pelting. Police stated that the FIR 36/2010 was registered against Zahoor in Baramulla under section 307, 332, 336, 149, 148 and 427. The police sources also confirmed that PSA has been slapped against Zahoor and he has been shifted to the sub jail Kupwara. His relatives hold protest sit in near the police station and asked for his immediate release. A minor incident of stone pelting was also reported. Later after the intervention of the senior police officer who clarified before Zahoor’s family that police cannot do anything now. Later the people dispersed peacefully. In South Kashmir’s Shopian area, a wanted stone thrower who was underground to escape arrest was detained by the police on Wednesday. Faisal Amin Mir alias Chotta Geelani. After receiving the tipoff about his presence at the house of a relative, police raided the house and detained Faisal from Gagran area of Shopian. Police sources told KNS that Chota Geelani was most wanted in the police records and he had gone underground from the past few months. Sources confirmed that the boy remained in the forefront in disturbing the law and order situation and that more than a dozen FIRs have been registered against him. Meanwhile, the police spokesman told KNS that the police See Police On PG 11..
Lok Sabha Exit polls ‘Bailed out by Court, NC, PDP tight lipped; waiting youth continues for May 16 results to be in lockup’
People staged protest in Bandipora Bandipora, May 14: A Bandipora family in North Kashmir Wednesday alleged that despite being bailed out by the Court, police is not ready to release their son from the custody. The family members along with others staged a protest in Nowpora Chowk of Bandipora and demanded immediate release of Feroz Ahmed Magray. Eyewitnesses told CNS that scores of people staged a protest in Nowpora Chowk of the town and amid anti-police slogans alleged that police is not honouring the orders of the court and is not willing to release Feroze Ahmed Magray of Wazipora who according to the family is going to marry next month. “My son who runs a shop was picked up by a local Army unit and handed him over to police a
month ago. Despite the fact that CJM Bandipora granted bail in favour of my son, police did not release him though they know he is scheduled to be married next week,” the mother of the arrested youth said. Station House Officer Bandipora Mushtaq Ahmed, DySP Headquarters Zuhaib Ahmed and ASP, Muhammad Yousuf declined to comment on the issue and when CNS contacted SP Bandipora Muhammad Shafi, he hung up the phone. Meanwhile, a top police official told CNS that the said youth is involved in different cases of stone-pelting and violence. “He has been bailed out by court in a particular case, but police has detained him in other cases in which he is involved,” he said. (CNS)
Srinagar, May 14 : With the Lok Sabha exit polls becoming a hot topic for discussions in valley, both the ruling National Conference and opposition PDP are tight lipped on the predictions and are eagerly waiting for the May 16 results. “We only believe in real counting. The exit polls as rightly stated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that it is a good time pass. May 16 is real and rest is illusion,” said Provincial President NC Nasir Aslam Wani. Additional General Secretary Dr Shiekh Mustafa Kamal told KNS that his party is confidant of sweeping all three seats in valley and that the exit polls that carried by the people sitting outside the state cannot determine the future of the people. On the other hand, PDP chief spokesman and legislator Naeem Akhtar told KNS that exit polls are not the final declaration of the results and the party is waiting for the May 16- the day when final results will be out. “The people with the brave heart came out with a mission of change. The change could be brought
BJP wants JKCA elections be declared null and void
Srinagar, May 14: While expressing strong resentment on the election of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), the senior BJP leader and candidate for BJP in Srinagar has appealed to the Election Commission of India and all other Political parties of India and State to declare this election as null and void. According to a statement issued to KNS, Bhat said that there are authentic reports that the ‘clandestine way date of election was deliberately fixed on 12th May, the day of election in the rest of country proves disrespect and disobedience of Farooq Abdullah towards Election Commission of India and Constitution of the country’. He said that the statement of his close accomplice, Aslam
Goni issued to the press that there is Rs 22 crores scandal in JKCA which has been covered up is required to be revealed to the public. Bhat who has worked for the upliftment of sports in J&K State has given a call to all village and Mohalla level Cricket teams of the youth to immediately contact him at his Rajbagh, Srinagar office or Jammu Office to form a new Adhoc Cricket Association which will be headed by non contesting candidate. “Those members who have expressed resentment to these elections are being contacted and unanimous decision will be taken for electing non contesting candidate as president as I am directly contesting Dr. Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar.” (KNS)
Arguments between two relatives ended on a violent note Man kills cousin in Ganderbal
Light Rain would occur at a few places over the state.
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Handover Tosa Miadan to wild life: Forest report
PSA slapped against Baramulla Youth
Ganderbal, May 14: Arguments between two relatives over the motorcycle keys ended on a violent note in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, when a man hit skull of his cousin with iron rod, leaving him in a pool of blood. The victim according to police breathed his last at SKIMS on Wednesday morning. Police has arrested the assailant along with his wife and daughter.
Police sources told CNS that there was an exchange of heated arguments between two cousin brothers Abdul Ahad Guroo and Ghulam Muhammad Guroo at Rabitar, Lati Shadipora area of Ganderbal. “The arguments continued for some time and family members of the both the cousins joined the course,” a police official said adding that See Ganderbal On PG 11..
by the PDP. We are sure that the electors have taken our manifesto and past into account while voting.” The PDP chief spokesman hoped that his party will be given a ‘decisive’ mandate so that the representation deficit in the state could be filled at the ‘central level’. “We will try to focus on Kashmir issue and issues of Kashmir and See NC On PG 11..
SMC seals 3-storey poultry farm in Barazulla Srinagar, May 14 : A team of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Wednesday sealed a three-storey residential building in Srinagar's Barazulla area allegedly for illegally running a poultry farm there. According to a statement issued to KNS, the team, which was jointly headed by health officer Dr Shafqat Khan and chief enforcement officer Nissar Ahmad, inspected the site and sealed it after it was found a poultry farm was set up inside a residential colony at Barazulla. The SMC move comes in the backdrop of complaints by locals against the illegal farm inside the resi-
dential colony. “The farm had become a source of stink and health hazard for the locality,” said Dr Shafqat. SMC commissioner Dr G N Qasba, who issued the orders for an on-spot inspection and a necessary action, asked people to deist from setting up poultry farms inside residential areas. “It is illegal to come up with such massive farms at a place where people live. Such farms are threat to hygiene of the place and health of locals. It can adversely impact health of kids and elderly persons particularly,” warned Dr Qasba. See SMC On PG 11..
‘Authorities plan to settle non-state subjects in Jammu’ Srinagar, May 14: Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association Wednesday strongly condemned the ‘forcible eviction’ of more than a hundred Muslim families of Nomadas and burning down of their Kulhas and also raising of certain permanent structures to ground at Gole Gujral area of Jammu. The Bar termed the action of Jammu Development Authority, Police and CRPF as barbaric and said that no action was taken against the non-Muslim families residing on the same piece. “How can authorities indulge in such a cruel and inhuman act when it had not even formulated a plan for the re-
habilitation of these people, who were rendered homeless,” the Bar said. In a statement issued to CNS, the Bar Association has said that it feels the method and manner employed by the authorities clearly shows that they have acted on a well thought out plan to throw out these Muslim families from Jammu, so as to allot the said land to certain powerful Land Mafia and even allow those, who belong to other communities and have come from other states and have occupied thousands of acres of State land, on the basis of fictitious and fraudulent state subject certificates. (CNS)
Unknown gunmen attacked AIFB state president Kulgam, May 14: All India Forward Block State President Asif Jeelani had a close shave when unidentified gunmen fired on his house Tuesday night at Akhran area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. The security guards of AIFB leader retaliated and fired some shots in air that created panic in the area. Asif Jeelani told CNS that at around 11:45 on Tuesday night unidentified gunmen fired some rounds at his house. “The bullets hit the windowpanes of my room while my security guards too fired in the air which forced assailants to flee from the spot,” he said. A police team from Mirbazar police chowki visited the spot soon after the incident and registered a case in this regard. See President On PG 11
Army rebuts torture allegations Srinagar, May 14 : The army has said the news report by few agencies and newspapers stating that a local youth was tortured by an Army major at Pazlipura camp is devoid of truth. According to a statement issued to KNS, on May 7, the polling booths in general area Sopore were subjected to heavy stone pelting. Consequently, the Police and PMF deployed at Pazlipura requested Army to rescue them. Army vehicles and personnel who came in their rescue were also subjected to stone pelting putting the lives of soldiers into grave danger. Large number of Army vehicles were damaged. Despite this, under able command of Major Abhishek, troops exhibited commendable restraint and did not respond by acting against them. Entire incident was videographed. See Army On PG 11..
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Srinagar, Thursday 15 May 2014
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
IGP inspection report filed by Range Officer Sukhnag to the higher ups in forest department, a copy of which is in possession of KNS. “The inspection is based on fact that the impact of shelling at Tosa Miadan and adjacent forests has badly affected the green trees and thousands of green trees have died in Sukhnag range. Besides this the shelling has caused human loss in the area….,” reads the report submitted by a forest officer in Sukhnag range. Top sources in the forest department said that the proposal of handing over the Tosa Maidan firing range to the wild life department has not been submitted to the government as the officer at the helm of affairs in the department have been conveyed not to pursue this proposal anymore. “Otherwise every proposal regarding transfer of forest land for other than forest purposes is tabled before the forest advisory committee before a sanction is approved by the government. The proposal to handover the Tosa Maidan Firing range to wildlife department has not even been allowed to be submitted to the middle rank officer of the department,” top sources in the forest department revealed to KNS. Significantly, the forest proposal echoes the observations made in a report submitted by the Sheep Husbandry department in March this year. The Sheep husbandry department had objected to the extension of lease over Tosa Maidan firing range to army arguing that artillery shelling has hit rearing of sheep in this meadow. According to locals of Tosa Maidan, not only human lives, green trees but the sheep population in Budgam district reared in Tosa Maidan meadow is being affected by the artillery shelling the area. Since Tosa Maidan firing range lease stands expired on April 18, the government appointed committee headed by the chief secretary for reviewing the lease is yet to arrive at a decision. (KNS)
Police is ascertaining his actual age from the school records and other sources. “Accordingly a decision will be taken whether he is to be shifted to juvenile home or a normal jail.” (KNS)
NC we will build consensus for the same at the national level.” (KNS)
President Dy SP Shabir Ahmed told CNS that police recovered some bullets from the spot during inspection. “We have registered a case and investigation is going on,” he said. (CNS)
SMC Reiterating that a strict action will be taken against such violators, Dr Qasba said, “People have to show a sense of responsibility towards the society. Instead of risking lives of people for petty profits, such practice should be avoided on its own. Residents are also advised to keep an eye on such activities.” (KNS)
Ganderbal Abdul Ahad Guroo hit 25 year old Ghulam Muhammad Guroo with iron rod on his head, leaving him in a pool of blood. The victim according to police succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS. “We have arrested the assailant Ahad Guroo along with his wife and daughter who reportedly instigated Guroo to attack his cousin. A case vide FIR number 70/2014 under section 147, 447, 336, 427, 354, 307 and 302 of RPC has been registered against the culprits,” Station House Officer Shadipora, Muhammad Shaban told CNS. He added that some agitated people tried to attack the house of the assailants, however, police swung into action in time and beefed up the security in the area. (CNS)
Army Mudasir was one of the main miscreants against whom the local unit was to lodge an FIR and legal recourse thereof. However, keeping the future of the youth in consideration, it was decided that the youth be counselled and brought to right path. Accordingly, the youth alongwith his uncle who is in Police and two Sarpanchs were called to the camp. The youth was explained that such acts under misguidance of inimical elements can ruin his future and even make him guilty of crimes such as death and injury. The youth was then left after an NOC was taken from them. “It is reiterated that if such acts of benevolence are distorted and published, they will only block the initiatives of organizations to bring the youth on right path. It is requested that the complete facts and truth may please be brought out in the news.” (KNS)
Vehicle Wigwarm in Aramwari area of Raj Bagh and was stolen during the night,” heThe officer said it was highly unlikely that carjackers would steal a police vehicle. “There is a possibility that militants may have stolen the car to carry out a suicide attack,” he added.The officer said police have registered a FIR 34/2014 under section 379 RPC IN Raj Bagh police station and have sounded alert across the State.All the police control rooms have been alerted and special check points have been established on the important roads including the Jammu-Srinagar highway, he told GNS.
Accidents
Turkey coal mine disaster: Desperate search at Soma pit
Rescuers are hunting desperately for scores of Turkish coal miners still missing after an explosion caused a pit to collapse, killing at least 245. Dozens escaped the pit in the western town of Soma, but officials say about 120 are still unaccounted for. On a visit to Soma, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said every aspect of the tragedy would be investigated and "no stone would be left unturned". But protests erupted in the town, with crowds hurling abuse at the government. Frantic relatives have gathered at the mine, waiting for news of loved ones. "My son was two months away from retirement," sobbed an elderly woman waiting at Soma's hospital. She held up two fingers to make her point and closed her eyes to stop herself from crying any further. The hospital grounds have been taken over by the families of the trapped miners. Their wait has now become a vigil. Some sit and stare at the ground. Others sob. Every few minutes paramedics clear the crowd to take away someone who has fainted. Dozens press up against the blue police
barricades set up at the entrance to the hospital. They're desperate for news of the trapped miners. And they have nowhere else to go. As ambulances took away an increasing number of bodies, some of the bereaved wailed uncontrollably and wre carried away by their families. Nearly 450 workers have been rescued, according to the mine operator. However, no survivors have been found in the last few hours. Mr Erdogan said 80 of those rescued had been treated for injuries, none of which were serious. Nineteen of these had already been discharged from hospital. "I just want everybody to know that the disaster will be investigated in every aspect and will continue to be investigated and we are not going to allow any negligence, or leave any stone unturned," he told journalists in Soma. Earlier he announced three days of mourning for the victims. The BBC's James Reynolds in Soma says family members of missing miners are gathered at the hospital. They told him they would not move from there until they got information about their loved ones.
Meanwhile police fired tear gas and water cannon at about 800 protesters angered by the disaster as they tried to march from a university in Ankara to the energy ministry. The BBC's Rengin Arslan filmed the scene on the ground, with anxious relatives waiting close to the rescue operation There were also reports of a protest in Istanbul outside the headquarters of Soma Holding, the company that owns the mine. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said 787 people had been inside the mine when an electrical fault triggered the blast. He added that carbon monoxie poisoning had claimed many lives. The electrical fault triggered a power cut, making the mine cages unusable. Those trapped are reported to be 2km (1.2 miles) below the surface and 4km from the mine entrance. The blast happened at about 12:30 GMT on Tuesday. TV footage overnight showed rescuers helping workers from the mine, their faces and hard-hats covered in soot and dust. Some were carried on stretchers to waiting ambulances. But by mid-morning, reporters at the
Al-Qaeda fighters attack Yemen army posts At least 23 people killed, including aide to defence minister, in assault on two military positions in the south. At least 23 people have been killed after suspected al-Qaeda fighters simultaneously attacked two army positions in southern Yemen, highlighting a deteriorating security situation which is the toughest challenge facing the government. General Mohsen Saeed al-Ghazali, an aide to the country's defence minister, nine other soldiers and 13 fighters died in the clashes, which focused on military positions in Azzan and neighbouring Jul al-Rida, the army said on Wednesday. The attacks come five days after Defence Minister Mohamed Nasser Ahmad and two senior security officers survived an ambush as they returned from the south, where the army is pursuing a fortnight-long campaign to clear the area of al-Qaeda fighters. "The toll of the clashes between the army and terrorists have left 10 soldiers dead, including a general, and 13 in al-Qaeda ranks," a military officer told the AFP news agency. "The Yemeni air force is participating in the battles, bombing columns of al-Qaeda vehicles trying to advance towards Azzan," the Shabwa provincial city the army said it retook last Thursday, the source said. He said the situation there is now "under control". Army operation The army says it has inflicted heavy losses on al-Qaeda in the
Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), seen by the US as the network's deadliest franchise, since it launched the offensives against them on April 29.The authorities in Sanaa have put security forces in the capital on alert for revenge attacks following the army's recapture of Azzan, with the US also closing its embassy. The Interior Ministry said this week that checkpoints were set up around the provinces of Sanaa, Ibb, Baida, Lahij and Marib to prevent the entry of fighters fleeing the offensives focused on Shabwa and Abyan - both in the south. "This is something that highlights
the biggest challenge facing government troops in Shabwa, in particular," Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Sanaa, said."They [the government] say they made some significant military gains but they haven't been able to defeat al-Qaeda. Militants are still able to retreat, regroup, take advantage of the terrain they know so well, and launch surprising attacks like the one they launched," said Ahelbarra. AQAP took advantage of a 2011 uprising that forced veteran president Ali Abdullah Saleh from power to seize large swathes of southern and eastern Yemen.
Drone Strikes Kill 10 Militants on Afghan-Pakistan Border PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Drone strikes killed at least 10 Taliban militants in the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to residents, militants and local officials. There were conflicting accounts as to which side of the porous border the strikes had hit, but an Afghan villager described to NBC News how he watched as four unmanned aircraft hovered over three compounds before launching missiles at them. "The drones fired six missiles and pounded three different sanctu-
aries of the Afghan Taliban,” Mohammad Yaqoob, a resident of the Nazian district of Nangarhar province told NBC News by telephone. "The bodies of most of those killed ... were burnt and beyond recognition.”A senior member of the Afghan Taliban told NBC News that 10 of their members had been slain, but claimed they were low-level militants.The U.S. military officials in Afghanistan would not comment on the news.U.S. drone strikes have prompted protests and raised tensions both in Pakistan and in Afghanistan. There
has been a 139-day lull in the hits in Pakistan, which has allowed the government room to negotiate with the Pakistani Taliban. These talks did not bear fruit. Meanwhile, an unnamed Afghan security source denied there had been a drone strike Afghanistan. The presidential palace did not respond the requests for confirmation or comment. Taliban commander Qari Ziaur Rahman in Afghanistan’s Kunar province told NBC News that he too had heard about the strike and his comrades’ deaths.
scene said only the dead were being recovered. Emine Gulsen, one of a group of women sitting near the entrance to the mine, cried: "My son is gone, my Mehmet." Mehmet, 31, had been working there for five years. Coal mining is a major industry in the Soma area, helping to supply a nearby lignite-fired thermal power plant, but safety has long been a concern. Nearly 40% of Turkey's electricity production depends on coal. The Soma mine was privatised in 2005. An MP with Turkey's opposition CHP party has accused the government of rejecting a recent proposal for a parliamentary inquiry into mine accidents in Soma. Ozgur Ozel told Today's Zaman newspaper that the motion had substantial support among opposition parties. Our correspondent says Prime Minister Erdogan will see this tragedy as a test of his reputation, and he will be aware that the previous government lost an election after being seen to have mishandled the 1999 earthquake. Turkey's worst mining disaster was in 1992, when 263 miners were killed near Zonguldak, on the Black Sea.
Oscar Pistorius ordered to undergo psychiatric tests Pretoria: A judge has ordered that Oscar Pistorius undergo psychiatric tests in a dramatic turn in the athlete's murder trial. The details of Pistorius' mental illness evaluation will be handed down next week, Judge Thokozile Masipa said. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel formally asked the court on Tuesday to have Pistorius committed, after defence psychiatrist Meryll Vorster claimed the sprinter's deep-seated anxiety would have given him a heightened fear of crime. Defence lawyer Barry Roux had argued against the motion, saying it was ‘‘premature’’ to have the evaluation done now, as he planned to call other witnesses. However Judge Masipa said psychiatric evidence before the court could not replace ‘‘a proper enquiry’’ into Pistorius’ mental health. The judge’s order means the trial will almost certainly face a lengthy delay.
During two months in the courtroom, Pistorius' lawyers have sought to portray him as maniacally obsessed with safety after a difficult childhood and in the face of high crime levels in South Africa. Those factors, they argue, help explain his reaction on Valentine's Day last year when he allegedly believed his girlfriend to be an intruder and shot her dead through a locked toilet door. Mr Nel said he did not believe Pistorius's mental state was unusual, but warned the athlete's defence team may try to use that evidence to limit sentencing, launch an appeal or reset the case. "My lady, accused persons have in the past replaced their counsel, particularly when things go wrong," said Mr Nel. In a hint of his closing arguments, Mr Nel also accused Pistorius of frequently changing his defence and using poor mental health as a fallback.
Lost I have lost my Driving License bearing No:JK042014002231 somewhere. Now I have applied for its duplicate. Anybody having objection may file the same in the office of the ARTO Budgam within a period of 7 days after that no objection will be entertained. Abrar Javid S/o Javid Ahamd Bhat R/o Batpora.
Lost I have lost route permit covering Tavera vehicle bearing No. JK03D- 8971 (2010 -Model) somewhere. Now I have applied for its duplicate. Anybody having objection may file the same in the office of the ARTO Anantnag within a period of 7 days after that no objection will be entertained. Muzaffer Ahmad Gassi S/o Mohammad Shafi Gassi R/o Khanabal, Anantnag
Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Shahana Malik RNI NO. JKBII/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Publised at Govt. Quarters , M-13 Magarmal Bagh Srinagar-190001 J&K, Printed at:- Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No. 09999964750, 9796 787844
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Anantnag. The motorcyclist got injured in this accident and was shifted to hospital for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, an Esteem car bearing registration number DL8CJ/9213 hit and injured a pedestrian Altaf Hussain Shah resident of KP Road Anantnag, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Anantnag. The injured was shifted to SMHS hospital, Srinagar for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. An unknown Motorcycle hit and injured a traffic head constable Ghulam Mohammad at Aloochi Bagh, Srinagar, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Shergari.
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SRINAGAR |THURSDAY, MAY | 15 | 2014
Sushma denies being ‘upset’, Rajnath says party will decide Advani’s role BHOPAL/GANDHINAGAR: Se- leaders are concerned, I will call a didate Narendra Modi. nior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on party meeting to which they will He was asked what role Advani Wednesday said here that she be invited. After thorough discus- would be assigned after NDA is was not upset with the party as some media reports suggested. Swaraj, who arrived here amid reports that she was sulking, told reporters that “it is not true that I am annoyed or the party leaders are mollifying me on any issue.” BJP president Rajnath Singh and senior leader Nitin Gadkari visited Swaraj at her residence in Delhi earlier in the day, leading to the speculation that she was not happy with the party over talks of government formation and her possible role as exit polls have predicted a clear majority for NDA. She told reporters that it was only a courtesy call by Gadkari and Singh. Swaraj contested the Lok Sabha election from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh this time where she had wonLone in 2009 News Agency Kangan Khan News Agency Ganderbal with a big margin. Gulzar News Agency Soura Zahid voted Book to Depot Chadoora With exit polls projecting victo- sions with all big leaders, we will power. Tariqsaid News Hawal News Agency ry for NDA, Rajnath Singh topAgency decide what role will be playedBashir by Advani, who Nowhatta was deputy Prime party leaders will meet and decide which person,” Singh told reportMinister the previous NDA govMuzaffar Ali News Agency Alamgari Bazar Budshah NewsinAgency Lal Chowk the roles of the veterans including at Ahmedabad his ernment, his Lal vast Chowk experience Abdullah Newsers Agency Lal Chowkairport on Sikendar News with Agency L K Advani after consulting them. way to Gandhinagar for a meeting and stature was reportedly not Gupkari News Agency Lal prime Chowkministerial canRaina keen Newson Agency “As far as the roles of veteran with party’s a roleGund in a Kangan government
headed by Modi, once considered his protege. There were talks of Advani be-
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Khan News Agency Regal Chowk Sheikh News Agency Hyderpora Lone News Agency Tangmarg Bhat News Agency Magam Dar News Agency Beerwah Reshi News Agency Safapora Basharat News Agency Bandipora Altaf News Agency Pulwama Jeelani News Agency Baramulla Shah News Agency Kupwara The Supreme CourtYounis on Tuesday entertain the Newsdeclined Agency to Langate plea by advocate seeking to put on hold the declaration of Reshi News Agency Islamabad Varanasi Lok Sabha seat’s result as BJP candidate and prime Turray News ministerial nominee Narendra Modi Agency was not aTral resident of the constituency and was Rahi contesting another place too. Newsfrom Agency Kulgam BJP prime ministerial Narendra Modi greets the Rahcandidate News Agency Byepass
SC declines plea for holding back Varanasi result
crowd at an election rally in Dhanbad on Tuesday.(Bijay/HT Photo) A bench of Justice BS Chauhan and Justice AK Sikri, while declining to entertain the plea by woman advocate Lilli Thomas, said that it was too late. Though advocate Thomas named only Modi but Aam Admi Party chief and candidate Arvind Kejriwal too falls in the same category. Besides Varanasi, Modi is also contesting from Vadodara Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat.In the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency which saw polling on May 12, Modi faces Kejriwal and Congress’ Ajai Rai, who is however a local resident of the Hindu holy city. The apex court is already seized of a petition seeking direction that no candidate could simultaneously contest election from more than one constituency in the same election.
Rashid News Agency Dalgate Hilal News Agency Budgam Bhat News Agency Chadoora Zargar News Agency Kunzar Bashir News Agency Sumbal Saleem News Agency Pattan Reyaz News Agency Pampore Javaid News Agency Qazigund G.M News Agency Sopore Sultan News Agency Handwara AHMEDABAD: Ali Husain is a prosSheikh News Agency Islamabad perous young Three WayMuslim Newsbusinessman. Agency TralHe recently bought a Mercedes and lives in Badru Newsgated Agency Bijbehara a suburban-style community that Malik Newsa ghetto. Agency Arwani itself sits inside In Gujarat,News it is soAgency difficultKargil for MusShaheen
ing offered the post of NDA parliamentary party leader or Speaker of the next Lok Sabha. The party will also have to decide on the part to be played by another veteran Murli Manohar
Joshi, a former BJP president, who was reportedly unhappy when he was shifted from Varanasito Kanpur to pave the way for Modi to contest the seat. Though Singh remained tightlipped about the agenda of their meeting with Modi, issues like formation of the next government and tasks to be assigned to seniors like Advani, Joshi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj were possibly discussed. “We will sit and decide the agenda. But one thing is confirmed that Narendrabhai Modi is going to become the next Prime Minister of this country,” Singh said when asked about the agenda of their meeting. The BJP chief sought to make light of today’s meeting with Modi, saying it was just to share “experiences of the election campaign”. “We frequently keep meeting in Delhi. If he (Modi) were to come to Delhi, naturally the whole day would have been lost. We had telephonic conversation and I said a long talk is not possible on telephone. So, let’s sit together for a while and share our experience on the election campaign.” Singh said.
In Narendra Modi’s India, a case of rule and divide
lims to buy property in areas dominated by Hindus that even the community’s fast-growing urban middle class is confined to cramped and decrepit corners of cities. Husain embodies the paradox of Gujarat: the state’s pro-business leadership has created opportunities for entrepreneurs of all creeds; yet religious prejudice and segregation are deeply, and even legally, engrained. If a Muslim enquires about a property in a new development, often the response is: “Why are you even asking?” said Husain, speaking at his home in the Muslim neighbourhood
of Juhapura, where filthy slum streets rub against smart new apartment blocks and enclaves. Separation of communities is common across India. Nowhere is it as systematized as it has become in Gujarat. That matters because the state’s chief minister, Narendra Modi, could soon run the country. Exit polls show that when results of a general election are announced on May 16, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies will win a majority in Parliament, almost certainly making him India’s next Prime Minister. The 63-year-old has ruled Gujarat since 2001. He has surrounded himself with technocrats — and also ministers and advisers who promote Hindutva. As Prime Minister, Modi would lead not just 975 million Hin-
dus but 175 million Muslims, around 15 per cent of India’s population and the third-largest Muslim population in the world. Modi’s record in his home state is clouded by riots in 2002, when 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in a frenzy of mob violence. Modi still struggles to shake off the perception he did not do enough to stop the bloodshed, despite a Supreme Court investigation that found no case against him and his own insistence he did all he could to keep the peace. Even some Hindus connect Modi to the riots. Pradeep Shukla, a prominent Hindu businessman and former member of the BJP in the Gujarati town of Bhavnagar said Hindus “believe that, somewhere, indirectly, Modi had a hand in it because he supports Hindus. This is why they vote for him”.
3 killed in police firing as flag burning sparks communal clashes in Hyderabad HYDERABAD: Three persons were killed on Wednesday in police firing following communal clashes sparked by alleged burning of a religious flag by some persons in Kishanbagh area of the Old City. Police clamped indefinite curfew under Rajendranagar police station limits after the clashes, which left 17 people, including ten police personnel, injured in heavy stone pelting. Trouble broke out after members of a community noticed that a religious flag was burnt at a flag post in an open ground near a hillock, police said. As the news spread, people assembled in large numbers and some youth entered the nearby locality of another community and allegedly started attacking their houses and vehicles. Some
parts of the area also reported
arson even as police intervened and dispersed them, they said. After some time, hundreds
of members belonging to both
communities gathered and pelted one another with stones and some police personnel, who
India reacts strongly after Pakistan asks two Indian journalists to leave the country NEW DELHI, In a strong reaction, India on Wednesday termed as “regrettable and unfortunate” the expulsion of the two Indian correspondents in Pakistan and said not allowing independent journalists to function was a “retrograde step”. Asserting that free flow of information between India and Pakistan has long been recognized as an important confidence building measure, the external affairs ministry spokesperson said this confidence building measure (CBM) should be safeguarded by all concerned. In an abrupt action, Pakistan has expelled the two Indian journalists, Press Trust of India’s Snehesh Alex Philip and The Hindu newspaper’s Meena Menon, posted there and asked them late on Tuesday night to leave within seven days without assigning any reason. “It is regrettable and unfortunate that the two Indian correspondents in Pakistan
have been asked to leave prematurely and suddenly only a few months after their arrival there. “Not allowing independent journalists to function is a retrograde step especially as free flow of information between India and Pakistan has long been recognised as an important confidence building measure,” the spokesperson said. Asked if expulsion could be related to the ongoing ferment and debate in Pakistan about the media and the differences between various organs of state on freedom of media, he said, “We are surprised that there have been numerous allegations against India in the ongoing controversy in Pakistan on media freedom and the different views of Pakistan institutions thereto.“The stationing of journalists and free flow of information is an important CBM and should be safeguarded by all concerned.”
tried to stop them, sustained injuries, a senior police official said. Communal clashes in Hyderabad1 of 9 A mob carrying swords and sticks stand next to police after clashes between two communities on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Three people were killed and several injured on May 14 when police opened fire to disperse the clashing group. (Reuters Photo) Police opened fire to bring the situation under control and in the process, at least three persons suffered bullet wounds and succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital. “Around 1,000 members from both sides indulged in clashes. As lathicharge proved ineffective, police warned the clashing groups and opened fire. Curfew
has been imposed indefinitely and section 144 CrPC clamped in Rajendranagar police station area under Cyberabad Commissionerate here following the incident,” the official said. “The situation is tense but under control. The injured have been admitted to different hospitals,” he said. City police commissioner Anurag Sharma told reporters, “There was an incident of rioting between two groups and right now the situation is totally under control. We are ensuring that it does not have any other and further repercussions,” he said. We are ensuring that there is peace and tranquillity in the city. Patrolling vehicles are on the move to maintain law and order. We will ensure that no (such) further incidents take place,”.
Stock-taking for Rahul, routine work for Modi, break for others The chief minister in Narendra Modi broke out of the mould of BJP’s Prime Minister hopeful a day after the nine-phase general elections ended on Monday. He was back to routine work in Gujarat on Tuesday while it was more of an election performance assessment day for Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. If some star campaigners of Mandate 2014 like AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal spent a quiet day at home, others chose to relax in cooler hill stations or holiday abroad. “The CM held a meeting with officials to take stock of the drinking water situation in Gujarat in summer. He also had a series of meetings with bureaucrats,” a senior BJP leader said. Modi also met party leaders at the BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar to share his experience during the nationwide campaigning. Rahul, who logged nearly 165,000km and addressed more than 250 rallies since September 15 last year, had lunch with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a south Delhi mall. Later, he attended a core group meeting at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 7, Race Course residence followed by deliberations on the poll out-
come with senior party functionaries at 10, Janpath.Kejriwal, on the other hand, confined himself to his residence on Tuesday after arriving from Varanasi the night before, as did BJP leader Arun Jaitley at his newly acquired home in Chandigarh, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Patna. SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav too spent the day at his Lucknow home but chose not to switch off completely. His son and UP chief minster Akhilesh Yadav spent the day at his official residence clearing pending files. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee plunged into her daily routine, reviewing the status of various projects at home and later at the state secretariat. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan headed for Shimla on May 10 to de-stress from the hectic campaigning. His Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa had rest after the April 24 polls but still took off for her estate in hill resort Ooty. Like Chouhan, she will return to work on Wednesday. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is also expected to return from a holiday in Europe before the results are announced.
HOROSCOPE Aries
March 21-April 19
Allow your eager and restless nature to express itself in ways other than through the spoken word, Aries. Show someone that you care through your gentle touch or a big bear hug. Hold on a little bit more tightly than you might normally. There’s an unspoken understanding that comes when you communicate through nothing but pure silence. Work on developing this kind of connection with those closest to you.
Taurus April 20-May 20
This is a terrific day for you, Taurus. You should find that your relationships, especially with men, go exceptionally well. Your tender and extremely sensitive nature is finally being recognized as the treasure chest it is. There are many times in which this type of personality is seen as weak, yet today is one of those times in which you’re given the full credit you deserve.
Gemini May 21-June 21
A selfish attitude on your part won’t be tolerated today, regardless of the circumstances, Gemini. Don’t make it worse for yourself by pretending that you don’t notice others’ hurt feelings. People are likely to be extra sensitive today, so be careful about trying to impose your will on someone who really wants nothing more than an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.
Cancer June 22-July 22
You could find the hardest person to face is you, Cancer. You tend toward introspection, and you may find yourself shrinking into self-recrimination. You could analyze the important people in your life and yet fail to address the one you really need to look at – you. As you continually strive for perfection, give yourself proper credit. Do something nice for yourself today.
Leo
July 23-August 22 Take advantage of the creative energy in the air today, Leo. Keep your hands moving and your imagination flowing toward something fun and artistic. If you begin to doubt your work, you may fall down a spiral of creative blockage. Don’t get into the habit of constantly judging the quality or outcome of your work. Give yourself free rein to open up and explore whatever comes to mind.
Virgo
August 23-September 22
Your sixth sense is right on target, Virgo, so trust your instincts today. You’re likely to connect with someone in a wonderful partnership that will help you foster the very plan you want to develop now. Stay close to those things that resonate strongly with your morals. The answer is in front of you; you don’t have to search too far afield in order to find it.
Libra
September 23-October 23 Take a break from your routine, Libra. You might feel like you’re leading an army into battle as you strive for new adventures and conquer new realms. Make sure you take a bit of time out today to stop and let your troops rest. You deserve a little rest yourself. Use this moment of stillness to form your plan of attack so you’re sure about how to proceed.
Scorpio
October 24-November 21 The key for you is to minimize your daily drama as much as possible, Scorpio. You may not realize how much you cripple yourself by the way you exaggerate every aspect of your life. Try not to give so much of your attention to things that really don’t matter much. Petty jealousy and gossip about other people’s lives are especially irrelevant in your world.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Be careful of advertising yourself as someone who is so strong and mentally competent that you’re capable of handling everything, Sagittarius. Take note that the strongest mule on the trail usually ends up carrying the most weight. Your emotions are more sensitive than you may think, and certainly more than you demonstrate to others. Be honest about the way you feel and not just the way you think.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Things should flow well for you today with very little effort on your part, Capricorn. Take note that if any quarrel arises, it’s an indication that the person you’re arguing with isn’t necessarily the right person to deal with or confide in. Emotional issues are likely to be the hardest ones to overcome, but this shouldn’t be a problem for you. You have the ability to work through these like a pro.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
This is meant to be a nice, relaxing day, so treat it as such, Aquarius. There’s no need for you to plan any great strategy at this time. Try to take it easy and not indulge in any unnecessary stress. This is your time to enjoy the moment. Don’t tax your mind by overanalyzing everything that comes your way. Go with the flow and have a great time regardless of what you end up doing.
Pisces
February 19-March 20 Your sensual nature is heightened, Pisces, and you’ll find yourself engaged in tender moments and languid peacefulness in the company of others. Soothe your soul by letting yourself slip into situations that give you the emotional freedom to do or say whatever comes to mind. Life should be like a love poem written by a great master. Accept the good energy that comes your way.
EDITORIAL// OPINION OPINION EDITORIAL In distress, farming Public Librariescommunity deserves Store Home of Govt. attention knowledge he uncertainty creat-
T P
ed by the weather for
ublic libraries are store Rabi has made home of crops knowledge as the farming commubooks are the best source very panicky of nity enlightment and are as the chances good crop are genuineoffriends of hudiminishing with every passman beings. Before the advent of ing day. services There seems be no television in thetocounletpeople up in would the rain and listen cold wave try either to conditions have already radio not onlywhich for entertainment destroyed several seeds particbut for seeking information and ularly paddy seeds. TheThe cold knowledge on various issues. motto of All India Radio was enterweather hail-storm and fast tainment and information. People winds have also damaged sevwould to Radio great en-the eral tune fruits, thuswith making thusiasm and radio news prospect of good yieldand in spehorticial audience programmes would culture sector very bleak. Kashcharm listeners anything. The mir valley islike mostly dependent community radio listening at on fruits and agriculturalone protime was very popular and listenduce as there are hardly any ers clubsviable wouldresources in turn advised other to boost programme planner with their the fragile economy. The state latest ideas about improvement in as programmes. a whole does not than havera-big the Other industries, mineralwould wealth and dio people in general read otherfor means onknowledge which it can books gaining anddevelop and ahead on theOne path fictions for go entertainment. of progress. Hence, it is quite would come across many vendors that the totalwould depenonbut thenatural roads where reader dence of and overmagazines 70% population get books by de- is increasingly around positing nominalrevolving money and reagriculture, horticulture and turn the books or magazines after tourism. The tourism sector reading them. There was a chain ofispublic libraries the country suffering joltin after jolt bewhere rare books were available. cause of Hartal, strikes, curfew Readers wouldvolatile sit in theconditions. libraries and other and go through these rare Though a lot of people referare asence books. Public libraries were sociated with this industry but very useful for the aspirants preuncertainty always looms large paring competitive examinaon itsfor sustainability. Thus the tions. With the advent of televiagriculture and horticulture sion and computers the visit to sectors have assumed pivotpublic libraries has become out of al role to sustain the economfashion, but in our state people do ic health of the valley and the need public libraries though the state. If the present weather coninfrastructural facilities available ditions continue, total fruit, before 1990 are now the in shambles. vegetable and paddy production The two decades of uncertainwill suffer heavily. The state aadty made these libraries suffer ministration and the concerned lot, as books and buildings were departments of agriculture and torched and the staff abandoned horticulture lot of responthese libraries.have The agovernment sibility on their shoulders. They machinery pre-occupied with othto playissues an important advierhave prioritized did not pay any attention to these libraries. At sory role and see that the farmpresent these libraries are in awful ers and orchardists take approcondition, with no books around,the priate measures to minimise nodamage news paper or magazine caused by the badavailweathable and the staff missing. The er. These departments should students appearing utilise the servicesforof competielectronic tive examinations the and print media do fornot thisget purpose required and a latest books, newsand launch vigorous campaign papers, magazines or information. in the whole valley. They should The Information run pestiby prescribe the Centre, required Government of India in the heart cides and chemicals which are of the Srinagar city too is closed for needed keep the last soimmediately many years. to This cen-the damages to athe minimum level. tre once upon time used to be a In addition to this Govt should hub for readers and students to get immediately swing latest information. Now into thereaction is a and provide instant relief to need that this important facility isthe farming have revived andcommunity revamped inwho conforsuffered lot of damages to their mity with a modern requirements. crops. The Govt. is supposed The library information ought to to by the side of so thethat fruit people growers bebecomputerized can getfarmers information on line as well. and in this hour of disThe reading habits should again tress. Together the farming combemunity promoted by instituting public and the governmental libraries. public libraries agenciesThese can overcome the presshould be consolidated and ent uncertain scenarioupdatwhich edhas withcaused the latest facilities. A new overall disappointconcept should be infused so that ment in the people associated treasure of knowledge is saved. with farming.
Daily Daily
Zabarwan ZabarwanTimes Times
Srinagar, Thursday May 2014 Srinagar, Tuesday 11 15 February 2014
APEDA: Helping Farmers to Look Outwards
R
ight from the moment when a produce is harvested from the farm to the time it takes to be on board for moving to its desired destination, the life of the agricultural produce gets battered at various stages. It is estimated that almost 30-40 per cent of the produce of fruits and vegetables is wasted due to lack of adequate infrastructure for post-harvest handling, transportation and storage. The inadequacy of post-harvest infrastructure facilities and wastage has persistently been underlined as a major bottleneck in boosting export of perishable products from India. Apart from it, the country’s agriculture export policy sometimes gets affected by short term interventions or restraints like ban on export of farm produce in the times of sudden price rise or supply constrictions. Whenever such restraints are imposed, processed and/ or value added products have to bear the brunt. Processed food sector and value addition in India forms but a minuscule portion of the overall agri economy and accounts for a small fraction of export of their commodities. Requirement of continuity in policy regime for encouraging investment in processed food sector is therefore an imperative. In the light of all these problems, the Government, in coordination with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has been providing necessary technical inputs and financial assistance. APEDA has taken several initiatives for promoting export of perishable commodities. APEDA has set up common infrastructure facilities like Centres for Perishable Cargo (CPC) at various international airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Nashik, Vapour Heat Treatment facilities for
export of mangoes to Japan and Australia, Irradiation facilities for export of mangoes to USA, integrated pack houses, pre-cooling facilities, high humidity cold stores, Asceptic Packaging Unit and collection centres among others. In addition, exporters, through Scheme of Infrastructure Development, are encouraged for purchase of reefer vans, setting up integrated pack houses, pre-cooling facilities, high humidity cold stores etc. so as to maintain cool chain which ultimately helps in maintaining the quality of the produce exported from India. Appropriate market intelligence in terms of reliable trade data on demand, supply, season, process etc. is another critical requirement of the exporters to diversify and explore new markets. APEDA has achieved market access for various products in hitherto inaccessible markets such as mango to USA, Japan, Australia and China; grapes and bitter gourd to China, basmati rice to Japan, Mexico and China; mango products to Mexico, livestock products to Algeria, Syria, Egypt, Morocco etc. Packaging is critical for delivery of product in good condition. APEDA has got developed packaging standards and specifications for various fruits, vegetables, cut flowers etc. Exporters using packaging of these standards and specifications are also given financial assistance to the tune of a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs per annum. Food safety is a primary concern in international trade. There is an increasing need to provide greater assurance about the safety and quality of food to the end consumers. Paying heed to the concerns of food safety and traceability shown by importing countries, APEDA has introduced traceability system for export of grapes to the EU countries via GrapeNet, pomegranates to EU via AnarNet and or-
ganic products via TraceNet. APEDA has encouraged and provided financial assistance to exporters for implementation of food safety standards in various sectors such as meat, poultry and dairy manufacturing units, units manufacturing mango pulp, pickles, dehydrated products etc. APEDA has also introduced a stringent system for recognition of export testing laboratories (23 at present), which has helped in upgrading their testing capabilities in terms of human skills and testing infrastructure. Research & Development is an important activity with the objective of export enhancement programme. For the benefit of processors/exporters, APEDA gets R&D work conducted through expert institutions in accordance with trade requirement for development of value added products, improvement in processing technologies, development of new varieties etc. High airfreight cost has been a persistently inhibiting factor in enhancing export potential and erodes the production cost advantage in India. High storage and inland transportation costs further aggravate the situation impeding growth in export of agricultural and processed food exports. Through the scheme for Transport Assistance, aid to exporters of horticultural, floriculture, processed food and animal products is extended. To further facilitate the export of perishable agri produce, the Government through the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14 made a provision for introduction of a Single Window System. Apart from these initiatives, APEDA has also taken several other export promotion measures for fruits and vegetables from time to time. A number of agri export zones for fruits and vegetables have been set up in different parts of the country. AEZs entail focused channelisation
of efforts and assistance in a converged fashion for the overall development of supply and value chain of the identified produce. APEDA also encourages exporters to participate with it in various international trade fairs which offers opportunity to the participants to get exposure and access to business channels overseas, thus augmenting export opportunities. APEDA has initiated a programme for integrated training of horticulture produce for some identified fruits like grapes, mangoes, litchis in selected regions. In the first step, APEDA has selected certain varieties of mangoes from the major producing belt i.e. Alphonso mangoes from Ratnagiri, Kesar mangoes from Aurangabad. APEDA has implemented the Integrated Training Programme in identified mango areas, response of which have been encouraging. APEDA has also made efforts to establish a semi-commercial facility in India to meet the commercial requirement. In this direction, APEDA received a 1.5 tonne capacity machine to treat 20 feet containers (8-10 tonnes in one-day treatment). This facility has been established by Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) at Vashi, Mumbai. APEDA has also initiated experiments of Controlled Atmosphere containers for the sea transportation of mangoes to various countries. APEDA has also been providing financial assistance to exporters for packaging, infrastructure development like packhouses, pre-cooling facilities, reefer vans etc, brand publicity through advertisement, purchase of laboratory testing equipment and implementation of quality systems etc. In this way, efforts for upgradation of post-harvest handling, distribution and marketing facilities have been able to cut down on wastages and for preserving the quality of fresh produce.
Micronutrient Mixture for Mega Harvest
I
ndia - the land of spices is the biggest producer, consumer and exporter of spices. The country grows over 50 different varieties of spice and produces around 2.7 million tones of spices. Around 0.25 million tons of our total produce (8-10%) is exported and the Indian share of the world trade in spices is 45-50% by volume and 25% in value. In other words, spices sector account for 6% of the agricultural GDP of the country. No wonder, spices plays a pivotal role in Indian economy. The flavor and fragrance of spices depend on the soil on which they are grown. Continuous exploitation of this precious soil without replenishing the nutrients, especially micronutrients, results in low yield, poor quality of the produce besides making the crop susceptible to pests and diseases. Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) in Kozhikode, a premier research organization on spices under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi has developed a nutrient mixture which recharges the soil with essential elements and ensures high yield from spice crops. In India, spices are grown mainly in red and laterite soil of South India, Western Ghats and North Eastern states where soil is highly weathered and low in nutrient status. The productivity is found to be one of the lowest compared to other competing countries and the reason is mainly attributed to improper management. In spices, quality of the produce, amount of oil, oleoresin, curcumin etc are more important as the export basket is mainly concentrating on value added products of spices.
Soil under Pressure
“Adoption of high production technology and cultivation of high biomass producing high yielding varieties have put enormous pressure on soil nutrient reserve and this has led to great imbalance in nutrient pools in the soil,” says Dr. M Anandaraj, Director of Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode. “A large chunk of soil has been rendered deficient in micronutrients, which is one of the major reasons that our crops have stopped responding to high analysis NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium)
fertilizers. Low pH, Phosphorous toxicity, limited use of micronutrients, chemical fertilizers and application of inadequate quantities of organic manures have made the situation more complex,” says Dr. V Srinivasan, Senior Scientist, Soil Science, IISR. Studies showed that 40-55% of Indian soil is moderately deficient in Zn (Zinc), while 25-30% is deficient in B (Boron). Deficiency of other micronutrients occurs under 15% of soil. These deficiencies/limitations reduce yield significantly.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are those essential elements like copper, manganese, zinc, iron, boron, molybdenum sulfur etc which are required by plants in very small amounts. Besides promoting plant metabolic activities and growth of the plants, they play a major role in improving quality, size, color, taste, earliness, input use efficiency of NPK fertilizers, water, disease resistance etc. A lesser-understood phenomenon is their role in determining quality and the post harvest life of harvested produce. As these nutrients are costly and needed in very small amounts normally a fertilizer dealer will not stock them like other bulk fertilizers and hence farmers find it very difficult to correct micronutrient deficiencies. “In order to find a solution for this serious problem, scientists at IISR have developed crop specific, soil pH based micronutrient mixtures for foliar application in black pepper, cardamom, ginger, and turmeric crops which guarantees 15 to 25% increase in yield and quality,” adds Dr. M Anandaraj. An innate advantage of these mixtures is that they can also be used in organic agriculture and therefore are gentle and environment friendly. While organic manures enhance soil microbial activity and therefore nutrient transformation or mobilization, these mixtures are guaranteed to enhance both yield and quality of the crop produce. “The technology is a low cost one and hence farmer friendly. For one acre crop, about 2 kg micronutrient mixtures costing approximately Rs 400 per spray are needed. For each crop two sprays at specific growth stages are recommended,” says Dr. S Hamza, Chief
Technical Officer, IISR.
Crop Specific
The scientists also have standardized its application for various crops. For black pepper foliar spray @ 5g per liter water should be given once during spike initiation with the onset of monsoon and another after two months. For cardamom foliar spray @ 5g per liter water should be given once during panicle initiation and another after three months. For ginger and turmeric foliar spray @ 5g per liter water once during 60 days after planting and another 90 days after planting is recommended. The mixtures are soil pH based and are tailor made for acid soil (pH <7.0) and for neutral to alkaline/ sodic soils (pH >7.0). While increased yield and growth is possible due these mixtures, it is important to note that these mixtures should not be mixed with any other chemicals to save labour and time. Though these mixtures are essentially for spice crops, these can be used for increased yield in fruit and vegetable crops as well.The mixtures were tested in six farmers’ fields in various parts of the country. Field trials in ginger were carried out in Kerala and Karnataka while turmeric was done in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The micro nutrient mixture for black pepper was tested in Kerala and Karnataka states and cardamom in Madikeri, Karnataka.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
The products are in the process of patent protection and commercialization. Entrepreneurs who want to produce and market these mixtures on a commercial scale can approach the institute for getting non-exclusive licenses. The Institute Technology Management and Business Planning and Development Unit (ITM-BPD Units) at IISR also help the entrepreneurs to prepare business plans for establishing manufacturing units. BPD unit also provides consultancy services for commercial production. The mixtures are available at IISR Chelavoor campus as well as at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Peruvannamuzhi.
Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing any article published this paper are purely the personal opinion the writer Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in in any article published in in this paper are purely the personal opinion ofof the writer