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SATURDAY 23 August | 2014 | 26 Shawal, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 |
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Dreaming victory in J&K BJP likely to announce CM candidate for the first time Srinagar, Aug 22 (KNS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, KNS has learnt. Sources said that the BJP's parliamentary board, made up some names in which Dr Nirmal Singh, National Executive Member and former President, State Unit of Jammu and Kashmir is the front runner in this race. Sources said that top brass of BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj among others, are expected to meet in next week and will announce the Chief Ministerial candidate of the party for the Jammu and Kashmir. Basically from Doda region Dr Nirmal Singh, has lost a close battle against Lal Singh of Congress from Udhampur- Doda Parliamentary seat in 2009, Madan Lal Sharma from Jammu-Poonch in 2004 and against Raman Bhalla from Gandhi Nagar Assembly seat in 2010, was expected to be repeated again from Udhampur Doda constituency in the recent Lok Sabha elections. But he was upset when BJP preferred Dr Jitendra Singh over him who defeated congress senior leader Gulam Nabi Azad with a huge margin. Party sources told Kashmir News Service that BJP top leadership in the next few days will also set the roadmap for the forth coming
BJP plans to rope up disgruntled NC PDP Congress leaders
Assembly elections in the Jammu and Kashmir. “A decision on contest from all the seats is likely to be taken by the BJP high command,” sources said and added that the high command will also consider organizational matters and prevailing political situation in the State. Sources said that the BJP’s high command will devise the strategy for the coming Assembly elections in the State and will reiterate its resolve to concentrate on winning 44+ seats. “The Party is eyeing to win 44+ seats in the State and it will concentrate to win all 25 Assembly seats in Jammu region on which the Party had maintained a lead in recently held Lok Sabha elections,” sources said. Besides, it will try to win four seats in Ladakh region, sources said. “The BJP will also try to reach out various groups in Kashmir Valley and field prospective candidates to win as many seats from See JK On PG 11..
After his London tour, Omar arrives in Srinagar
Cabinet to meet on Aug 26
Srinagar, Aug 22: As the chief minister Omar Abdullah arrived in Srinagar after concluding his weeklong personal visit to London, the party is all set to declare its next list of candidates for upcoming assembly elections on Sunday. Talking to KNS, Nasir Aslam Wani, NC provincial president said: “Yes the party will be issuing its next list of candidates on Sunday.” Meanwhile, a senior NC leader said that that the State cabinet will meet on August 26 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The cabinet, he said, will take some important decision including some transfers in civil and police department. Issues related Pahari and OBCs are also likely to surface during the cabinet meeting. Sources told KNS that the 4th list of the party candidates that is scheduled
DGP reviews security situation
Srinagar, Aug 22: State Police Chief Friday reviewed the law and order, security scenario of South Kashmir at a meeting of police officers held at District Police Lines Pulwama. The meeting was attended by IGP, Kashmir Zone, A. G. Mir and DIG, South Kashmir Range, Vijay Kumar. Addressing the meeting, Rajendra stressed upon the officers of South Kashmir Range, to ensure regular coordination at every level and keep the law and order maintained in their jurisdictions. He sought reports from the officers regarding situation in different areas of policing including law and order, security, crime and anti-militancy operations. The meeting was apprised about the overall situation in the range. Achievements on different fronts including the anti-militancy front were also discussed in the meeting. Rajendra, while expressing his satisfaction over the security scenario and successes in anti-militancy operations, said that coordination among different security agencies and wholehearted support of the people has enabled JKP to meet the challenges firmly. He said that our efforts should continue to curb the anti-social elements with the cooperation of people and for this purpose our attitude should be people friendly. Security of the people is our prime concern and it should be ensured that while dealing the situations, common man is not put to any inconvenience, Mr. Rajendra added. He also appreciated the range police for conduct of peaceful Amar Nath Yatra. Discussing the crime scenario in the range, the DGP asked the officers to
adopt the latest methods of investigation like crime mapping, which could lead to identification of criminals in a better way. He stressed for information sharing among different agencies and districts to curb the inter-district activities of criminals and anti-social elements, saying that a strategy should be drawn and implemented in a time bound manner to get better results. Earlier IGP (Kashmir Zone), A. G. Mir, gave a detailed briefing to the DGP about the overall situation in the South Kashmir Districts. He said that joint efforts with other agencies have been made to curb the activities of criminals and anti-social elements in the range. The efforts have been yielding good results which are evident from the successful operations against such elements, he said. Later the DGP addressing a police durbar urged the jawans and officers to make public service their motto. He said that JKP has demonstrated great valour and courage while restoring peace and order in the State. We have to ensure rule of law at every cost and strengthen the image of the Organization among the masses. Transparency in our working and better attitude with the public would bring positive change in public perception, the DGP added. During the durbar, Rajendra heard the reports of the jawans patiently and issued on-spot instructions for redressal of their genuine grievances. He also asked the senior police officers present in the durbar to maintain close rapport with their ranks and redress their problems within their competence. The meeting was also attended by SSsP, Sheikh Junaid Mahmood, Mumtaz Ahmed, Tajender Singh, Showkat Hussain Shah and Abdul Waheed Shah and other police officers. (CNS)
Opposition gears up to corner crumbling NC-Congress coalition Srinagar, Aug 22 : The Last Assembly session of the Ruling National conference and congress government is set to begin on stormy note on Monday as the Opposition parties are bracing up to leave no stone unturned to corner the Government before going to the Assembly elections. Meanwhile, the speaker Mubarak Gul has called for maintaining calm in the House. The session will begin amid tight security from Monday, an official spokesman said. Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul while talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that he would provide ample time and opportunities to the legislators to highlight public-centric issues for seeking redressal of problems confronting people. Gul, however, said he was ready to deal with any kind of situation. The session is expected to witness uproar by the Opostions parties like People's Democratic Party (PDP),Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), and CPI(M) members. The oppositions will raise many issues like alleged backdoor appointments, empty State treasuries, corruption and mis-governance. Talking to KNS Chief Spokesperson of PDP said that though we don’t expect much from the present gov-
‘Abducted’ youth’s bullet ridden body found in Baramulla
Srinagar, August 22: At least fifteen persons including 10 forest protection force men were injured after clashes were broke out at Tosa Madain area in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday late afternoon. A senior police official told GNS that forest protection force men stopped the construction work by the local residents at Tossa Madan near See Locals On PG 11..
Srinagar, 22 August: In a gruesome incident, a youth’s bullet-ridden body was recovered from a maize field after he was allegedly kidnapped by some persons in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Official sources told GNS that a youth Javed Ahmad Para (22) son of Ghulam Rasool of Nagbal Chandoosa was kidnapped by some persons last evening. “The body of the bullet ridden was today found in the nearby maize field”, they said. A police spokesman in a statement issued to GNS said that locals of Nagbal, Chandoosa informed police about the body of a villager Javed Ahmad Para son of Ghulam Rasool is lying in a nearby maize field. “A police party of police station Chandoosa imme-
Srinagar, Aug 22 : In a joint operation of Handwara police and 6RR huge quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered in Villgam area of Handwara last evening. Acting on a specific information See Hide out On PG 11..
Taking serious note of recent militants attack in south Kashmir
Last Assembly session set to be stormy
Locals clash with forest protection force in Tosa Madan
Hide out busted in Handwara Arms ammunition recovered C M Y K
to be declared on Sunday will include the candidature chief minister Omar Abdullah. Omar will go through the list that his party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar has prepared in consultation with other party senior leaders. Sources said that additional general secretary of National Conference Dr Shiekh Mustafa Kamal will not contest the polls this time and would prefer to play a vital role in strengthening of the party. Kamal when contacted told KNS that there is no pick and choose in the party and the nomination of the candidates is done on the constitutional way. “If the party decides to choose me I will be ready. What is wrong with me that I would not contest the forthcoming elections?” Kamal told KNS. Meanwhile, the state Congress is again set to lock horns with its coalition partner National Conference-asking the chief minister Omar Abdullah to convene the See After On PG 11..
Srinagar, Aug 22: The ruling BJP is all set to accommodate the disgruntled leaders of NC, PDP and Congress as its president is arriving in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. Party sources have told KNS that the BJP will accommodate some senior political voices from the state’s mainstream parties who are disgruntled against their respective party affairs. Reports maintained that the BJP has set an eye on Kashmir with its prime target to open doors for some senior political leaders who are about to part ways from their political parties on the grounds of non-issuance of the tickets for the upcoming state elections. Sources said that the party on the arrival of its President Amit Shah will also concentrate over the maximum enrollment of pandit youths in the party See BJP On PG 11..
Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K
diately rushed to the spot and recovered the body. The body bore injuries on the buttocks”, he said. He said that a case FIR no. 26/2014 under section 302/RPC was registered in this regard and further investigation has been taken up. “The body was sent for post mortem. During post mortem it was found that the deceased was hit by pellets apparently from a 12-bore rifle and the death of the youth was caused by excessive blood loss”, the official said. During preliminary investigation, it surfaced that the deceased had left last evening with his relative Mohammad Ibrahim Tantray son of Saif u Din resident of same village to scare away wild animals from the maize field’s along with a See Baramulla On PG 11..
ernment as both NC and Congress have failed to address the problems of people but there are lots of issues from corruption to failure of governance which we will raise them vociferously,". Similarly, an upbeat BJP is also gearing up to lock horns with the government by raising issues like corruption and mis-governance. “The government stands exposed. It has promoted corruption and mis-governance. This is the last Assembly session and after this it will be our government. BJP will change the fate of entire JK under the leadership of Prime Minister Narender Modi,” BJP leader Ashok Kajuria told KNS. National conference senior leader Ali Mohamad Sagar said the Government would boldly face the Opposition on floor of the House as it has lot of achievements to its credit during last over five and half years. “We are ready to face any kind of attack from the Opposition be it the PDP or the BJP, NPP or the CPM. We have done lot of development and initiated other pro-people measures. We are not worried from the Opposition. In a democracy, the Opposition has a right to raise the issues and the treasury benches have right to respond them,’’ he said and hoped that that last session of 11th Assembly would end on healthy
note. The Assembly session this time will be brief with six sittings only from next Monday to Saturday. Experts suggested that it will be interesting to watch the proceedings as the bickering is mounting between the two coalition partners National Conference and Congress. This would be first time in the 11th Assembly when there will be only 83 elected MLAs in the House in addition to two Nominated women. While three MLAs Mehbooba Mufti and Muzaffar Baig and Jugal Kishore have been elected to Lok Sabha, veteran Congress member and CLP leader Choudhary Aslam has passed away. NPP Legislature Party leader Harshdev Singh said the NPP has chalked out its strategy to corner the coalition Government, which has nothing to say in its defence. “There is no name of Government functioning in Jammu and Kashmir. Everything has paralyzed. The governance is completely missing. The Government will have to answer our queries,’’he said. Meanwhile CPM leader MY Tarigami also said that there are lot of issues they will raise. Meanwhile Continuing his efforts to make ensuing Autumn Assembly Session smooth and hassle free, the See Last On PG 11..
Burglars strike at Ganderbal
‘Burglars decamped with goods and cash’: Traders
Ganderbal, Aug 22: The theft incident which sparked protest in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district forced police to create a ‘chowki’ at Qamria Chowk of the town where according to police burglars looted six shops during the intervening night of Thursday. Reports said that scores of traders in Qamrai Chowk Ganderbal on Friday staged a protest and blocked the traffic for hours after burglars according to them decamped with cash and good worth lakhs of rupees from all but 14 shops. Burglars also made an unsuccessful attempt to loot a Jammu and Kashmir Bank ATM. Police said the culprits used a mini crow bar to break
open the machine. Cash totalling to Rs.5 lakh was loaded in the machine on Thursday, a police officer said. After partly tampering with the machine, the culprits gave up. The ATM did not have a watchman , the police said. The traders said that burglars looted all but 14 shops and decamped with goods and cash, a claim refuted by police. “We were surprised to see the shutters of our shops broken and the goods inside the shops were lying at sixes and sevens,” a trader told CNS adding that 14 shopkeepers incurred heavy losses due to the burglary incident. It was only after SP Ganderbal Shahid Mehraj passed directions to install a police chowki at Qamrai chowk that traders called off protest and dispersed peacefully. Police said that See Traders On PG 11..
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Rampant Corruption in SMC Tainted officials confesses that he received lakhs as bribe Srinagar, Aug 22: A Srinagar Municipal Corporation official who was caught red-handed on Thursday accepting bribe from a person to facilitate illegal constructions in Bagiyas area of Srinagar city has confessed that he in league with other two officials received lakhs of rupees as bribe from the Bagiyas person for allowing him to carry on the construction work. Pertinently, police in presence of Tehsildar Khanyar arrested SMC Enforcement officer managing ward number 25 and 26 in North Srinagar city near Karan Nagar while accepting a bribe of Rs 32,000 from a person. Police sources told CNS that during questioning, the accused SMC official revealed that besides Rs 32,000, he in league with two other officials of Corporation had collected lakhs of rupees as bribe from Bagiyas resident. Sources added that the tainted official during questioning confessed that ill-gotten money goes from top to bottom. The arrested official according to sources confirmed that majority of the SMC officials See SMC On PG 11..
Islamic State flags appear in Kashmir:
Police launches manhunt to nab culprits Srinagar, August 22: Following the surfacing of Islamic State (IS) flags in Srinagar during anti-Israel protests last month, police have started massive manhunt to track down the youths who waved flags of the powerful militant group. In July, when Israeli military launched attacks on besieged Gaza, massive anti-Israeli protests broke out in Kashmir. On July 11, hundreds of people staged protests outside Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta during which a black flag of Islamic State was waved by masked youths and it was for the first time that such flag appeared in conflict torn Kashmir region. Though there was no official reaction at that time but after flags again appeared in the area as well as in Lal Chowk, the city centre, the army termed it a concern. It was on Eid Day, when
nearly a dozen flags of Islamic State, formerly known as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Taliban and Al Qaeda appeared in Eidgah during anti-India and anti-Israel protests. The pictures and videos of masked youth holding three large black flags of IS, Taliban and Al Qaeda, made headlines in several National as well as in International media outlets. Following the big development, police, according to officials, started questioning youths. A report published on the website of a New Delhi based news channel said police have identified 50 ‘supporters’ of the group. But, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Amit Kumar, said no one has been identified yet for arrest. “However, we are questioning people everywhere,” he told GNS. See Culprits On PG 11..
Six labourers trapped under debris; 2 rescued PIC: Faizan Altaf/ZT
Srinagar, Aug 22 : Pall of gloom was witnessed in Srinagar‘s Parraypora area of the city on Friday after at least six people came under the debris of a residential house while dismantling it. According to KNS correspondent labourers were dismantling old residen-
tial house of Irfan Ahmad Kawoosa at Parraypora, near Ibrahim Masjid Srinagar when five of them came under the debris.Rescue Workers, Police and Paramilitary forces immediately rushed to the spot and See SIX On PG 11..
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Srinagar, Saturday 23 August 2014
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
JK..... the region as possible to cross the magic mark of 44+ needed for formation of next Government in the State,” sources said. Sources further said that the party will send senior Party leaders in the State in last week of this month who will hold further deliberations with the Party men. “We will take all steps to win the elections in the State, said senior BJP leader,” adding besides Prime Minister the Union Ministers will visit the State to strengthen the Party. (KNS)
BJP..... and emphasis is being laid upon to channelize the party efforts in the constituencies comprising of the Pandit votes. Sources also said that ahead of Amit Shah’s JK visit, some senior political players of Jammu and Kashmir have held detailed meetings with the BJP top brass and have assured both within and outside support to the party during upcoming state elections. Reports informed that the BJP leadership has asked its state cadre to strive for gaining maximum number of seats in Jammu and Kashmir so that the party could act as the decisive force in the formation of the next government in Jammu and Kashmir. It is pertinent to mention here that a senior BJP leader in the past stated that after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the same boosted the morale of the state cadre of BJP with its leadership making it a agenda that he party will play a major role in the formation of the government in Jammu and Kashmir. The state Congress in the meantime has been asked to speed up its activities in the Jammu region so that the mounting BJP wave could be countered at large. The senior state Congress leader of Jammu said that the party has unanimously decided to concentrate more on Pahari belt of Jammu region and apprise its people about the agenda of the Congress party for the community. Reports informed that in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the BJP led in 30 of the 37 Assembly segments in Jammu and three of the four in Ladakh. In 2008 elections, the BJP had won only 11 of the 37 seats in the Jammu region, and none of the 46 seats in the Kashmir valley or the four in Ladakh. But the recent Lok Sabha results have given reason for cheer. If the BJP is able to replicate its Lok Sabha performance in the Assembly Elections, the party will end up with a substantial 33 seats in the 87-seat Assembly and most likely emerge as the single largest party in the case of a fractured mandate. Reports said that the BJP is not relying only on Jammu and Ladakh. Shah aspires to make a dent in the Muslim-majority Valley as well. (KNS)
SMC..... allow hassle free construction works in Srinagar city after receiving bribe from the pary. An official on condition of anonymity told CNS that at the time of arrest we not only recovered the marked money (bribe amounting to Rs 32,000) from the tainted official but in his other pocket they recovered Rs 30,000 extra. Initial investigation has revealed that the said official in connivance with other officials had made it a routine to extort money from helpless residence of Srinagar city. A police official on condition of anonymity told CNS that though the tainted official has accused two other officials of grabbing money from citizens for allowing commercial constructions in residential areas, but the police has no evidences against these officials. “We will proceed only after getting the statement of the tainted official recorded before Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar,” he said. (CNS)
After..... cabinet meet at the earliest. The state Congress chief Saif-ud-din Soz told KNS that he is not interested in pulling down the government but when the constitutional institutions do not meet, the government will fall automatically. (KNS)
Baramulla..... licensed 12 bore gun of the relative, he said, adding that the said person is absconding and Police has started a search for him. (GNS)
Last..... Speaker Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul today convened a meeting of party leaders/chief whips of all political parties in his chamber at the Assembly complex. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah were present in the meeting besides legislators Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta and Abdul Rehman Veeri. Speaker urged upon the party leaders to ensure complete sanctity of the House and suggested to raise issues of public importance only so that more work could be carried out during the brief session. He said the session being the last session of the present Government, should be mandatory for all concerned to attend the business of the House, especially on the last day to make it a historic event. The Speaker also gave out detail of the arrangements being put in place for smooth conduct of the Session. He said a website has already been launched in order to facilitate instant availability of information on the proceedings, bills and other related matters to members of the House and media persons. During the meeting all participants spoke and unanimously agreed to make the session a successful one. Among others, Secretary Legislative Assembly Mohammad Ramzan and other concerned officers attended the meeting. (CNS)
Zabarwan Times
Culprits..... The SSP said so far no arrests have been made in this regard. The Islamic State has seized large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq and announced Caliphate with its leader Abu Bakr-al Baghdadi as Caliph. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently said a Kashmir youth based in Australia had reportedly joined the group. (GNS)
Locals..... army’s firing range. As the forest protection force tried to dismantle the structures in the area, the locals started pelting stones on the forest team injuring at least 10 of them, the official said. Meanwhile, police rushed to the area to control the situation, they fired few teargas shells and use batons, he said, adding that five persons received minor injuries in the action. (GNS)
Hide Out..... , Handwara police and 6RR launched search operation at Einch Hafrada Forests in Villgam area of District Handwara last evening. According to a statement issued to KNS, during the search operation a hideout was busted. 01 Pika, 03 AK 47 rifles, 03 AK 56 rifles, 01 Pistol,18 RPG Booster, 01Anti Aircraft Gun stand, 06 RPG rounds, 10 RC IED, 08 AK Magazines, 13 Hand Grenade, 38 UBGL Grenade, 01 RPG Booster Mark II, 01 Wireless set ICON, 02 Wireless Antenna, 01 Map, 01 Compass, 838 AK rounds, 39 Detonator, 01 pouch were recovered from the hide out. The recoveries mark a big blow to the terrorist activities for carrying out acts of terror in the valley particularly in North Kashmir. (KNS)
Traders..... only six shops were looted by burglars. “Shopkeepers usually don’t keep the cash inside the shops. Burglars decamped with some goods and we have registered a case vide FIR number122/2014 under section 457,380 of RPC and investigation has been started. (CNS)
Six..... rescued the injured who were under the debris of the house, two of the injured persons namely Gorab Yadoo, Vikram Singh were Shifted to nearby hospital. Reports said that the collapsed one was an old building. (KNS)
Sahai oversees trail selection for National Dragon Boat Championship Srinagar, Aug 22 : The trails for the 3rd Dragon Boat Race National Championship was held today at Nehru park Srinagar by the J&K State Sports Council in which over 200 youth, including 70 girls participated. S.M. Sahai, Additional Director General, Armed Police, Civil Defence, HG and SDRF was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The National Championship is being organised in Srinagar by the J&K State Sports Council in collaboration with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Federation New Delhi from 30th August to 2nd September. Speaking on the occasion Sahai appreciated the Sports Council for organizing the event and stressed that the selection process should be free and fair and only the best players should be selected to represent the State. He announced that J&K Police team, comprising of expert players from Police and Civil Defence, would also be participating in the event. He encouraged girl participants to actively take part in sports and avail the various benefits of SRO 349 which provides for reservation for sports persons. Sahai also inspected the joint Quick Response Team of State Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence established at Nehru park and interacted with the volunteers. He assured the rescuers
that they would be equipped with motorised boats, life jackets and other rescue equipments. Earlier, Professor Bashir Ahmed, Member J&K State Sports Council welcomed the participants and guests and gave a brief resume of Water Sports activities initiated by the present Secretary of the Council, Er. Dilip Thussu. Present on the occasion were Abdul Qayum Peerzada, Chief Sports Officer, Harmeet Singh, Superindent of Police East, Aamir Ali, Deputy Chief Warden, Bilquees Mir, Incharge Water Sports, Mushtaq Ahmed, Divisional Sports Officer, Vinod Kumar, SDPO, Riyaz Ahmed, DO Nehru park, Muzaffar Jan, Divisional Warden, CD Volunteers, SDRF team, locals and a large number of tourists. The selection committee constituted by J&K Sports Council comprised of Zahoor Ahmed Latoo, Parvaiz Shagoo, Imtiaz Ahmed, Feroz Ahmed, Adil Mohiuudin and Mustafa Kand. The committee is required to select the best players to for m t w o t e a m s to repres ent J &K State, one team, c ompris ing of male members and s ec ond mixed team, with both male and female partic ipants . 16 States in addition to J &K will be partic ipating in the N ational Championship comprising of events of 200 mtrs, 500 mtrs and 2000 mtrs. (KNS)
Peerzada visits Haj House, reviews arrangements for Hajj-2014 Srinagar, 22 August: Minister for Hajj, Auqaf, Floriculture and Public Enterprises Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today visited Haj House Srinagar and reviewed the arrangements put in place for Haj pilgrimage-2014 starting from August 27. The Minister inspected camps held for vaccination of the Haj pilgrims and directed the concerned for proper and timely vaccination. He was informed
that a total of 1200 pilgrims have been vaccinated so far. Peerzada also went around various sections of Haj house and enquired about the facilities put in place for the Haj pilgr i m s . H e d i r e ct e d t h e co n ce r n e d f o r m a i n t a i n i n g clean environment in and around the complex. The Minister was informed that fool proof arrangements have been made at the Haj
Land dispute claims life of elderly person Budgam, Aug 22: The altercation between the members of two families in Fitlipora Pakharpora hamlet of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district claimed the life of an elderly person on Friday morning. Police sources told CNS that there was a scuffle between the family members of Muhammad Akbar Laway and Master Abdul Rashid Lone over a disputed piece of land.
Sources added that during scuffle, Muhammad Akbar suffered major heart attack and died on spot. The son of the deceased person, Nazir Ahmed Laway told CNS that nobody manhandled his father but he suffered heart attack due to boisterous scene. “We have registered a formal case and waiting for the post-mortem report,” a police official told CNS.
House for pilgrims for their comfortable stay at Srinagar. He was further informed that adequate arrangements have also been made for smooth transfer of pilgrims from their place of stay to the Haj House and from there to the Airport. Besides, other arrangements, a mobile ATM have also been put in place in the Haj house premises for convenience of pilgrims, the Minister was informed. (GNS)
GoC Chinar Corps visits BSF Battalion at Awantipur Srinagar, Aug 22 : Lieutenant General Subrata Saha, GOC Chinar Corps, visited the Koyil Company of Awantipur BSF Battalion today. The General Officer took stock of the security arrangements of the area and was also briefed about the prevailing situation by the Commandant of the Battalion and PS Sandhu, Inspector General, BSF. The Corps Commander thereafter interacted the BSF
troops deployed at the Base and complimented them for their high standards in carrying out the important strategic task of guarding the Awantipur Air Base. The GOC emphasized on the need for optimizing the operational capability of the troops. Assuring the BSF of all support and assistance, General Saha emphasised on the need for professional and ethical conduct of security forces at all times. (KNS)
United Nations Nuclear Inquiry on Iran Seen Making Slow Headway: Diplomats Vienna: The U.N. nuclear watchdog appears to have made only limited progress so far in getting Iran to answer questions about its suspected atomic bomb research, diplomatic sources said on Friday, three days before a deadline for cooperation. Under an accord reached by the U.N. agency and Iran in November -- an attempt to revive the longstalled investigation -- Tehran agreed in May to carry out five specific steps by Aug. 25 to help allay international concerns. They include providing information about two issues - for example, alleged explosives experimentation - that are part of the inquiry by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into what it calls the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme, which Tehran says is peaceful. The diplomatic sources said Iran and the IAEA may have begun discussing the two topics, but they did not believe Tehran had provided the requested information or explanations yet. They said there was still time for Iran to implement the measures, noting that it had occasionally waited until the last minute to make concessions in the past. But slow-paced cooperation would
tend to reinforce Western impressions that Iran is reluctant to give the IAEA the information and access to sites and people that it says it needs for its investigation. There was no immediate comment from the IAEA or Iran. Iran denies the nuclear programme has any military objectives, but it has promised since Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist, was elected Iranian president in mid-2013 to work with the IAEA to clarify its concerns. Western officials say it is central for Iran to address the suspicions for the chances of a successful outcome of the parallel talks on a diplomatic settlement between Iran and the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia. With major gaps remaining over what will be permitted in Iran's uranium-enrichment programme - activity which can have both civilian and military uses - those negotiations on ending the decade-old dispute were extended last month until Nov. 24. "FIRM COMMITMENT" IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said after he held talks in Tehran on Sunday that implementation of the five steps had begun and that he expected progress to be
Kashmir’s fruit industry facing a slow death:
The industry will be defunct in coming years: Growers Srinagar, Aug 22: Stating that the fruit industry is the largest one in the state with more than 35 lac people associated with it, the fruit growersFriday said that the state government has turned blind-eye towards their plight with each passing day the industry is dying. The Fruit growers of Kashmir valley while expressing serious concern over what they termed ‘non-serious’ attitude of the state establishment, said that despite the harsh weather conditions, the growers are finding it difficult to survive with the load of loans crushing them. They said that they face four major hurdles while keeping the industry going. One is the sudden change in the climate from the last few years. Second is the low grade pesticides, third is the abrupt emergence of disease and the fourth and the important one is the unavailability of the markets. The growers told KNS that the day is not far when the industry would be completely
defunct with the state government in the deep slumber. Apple Growers Association Kashmir President Mohammad Yousuf said that when the fruit growers of Maharashtra witnessed the huge losses due to climate changes, the GOI announced the package of 500 crore for their rehabilitation and here the government and the banks are creating more trouble that doing any good for the industry. The association said that they are completely unable to pay the installments to the banks as they earn no profit. “Banks install board outside our orchards that we are defaulters of the bank and have not paid our monthly installments. We appeal the government that there must be six monthly or the yearly installments for the fruit growers as this industry doesn’t function round the year.” The fruit growers appealed the government to look into the matter and take measures to save this industry at an earliest. (KNS)
made over the coming week, but he did not give details. Speaking after talks with Rouhani and other senior officials, he said he had received a "firm commitment" by Iran to cooperate with the long-running investigation. He also said he hoped for an agreement soon on future steps by Iran. Amano's trip to Tehran was an apparent attempt to push for progress, after diplomatic sources in July said that the IAEA was concerned about Iran's lack of engagement with the probe.After years of what the West saw as Iranian stonewalling, Iran as a first step in May gave the IAEA information it had requested about Tehran's reasons for developing exploding bridge wire detonators, which can be used to set off atomic explosive devices. Iran says they are for civilian use.The two issues in the inquiry that Iran agreed to address by late August concern alleged experiments on explosives that could be used for an atomic device and studies related to calculating nuclear explosive yields. They were among 12 specific areas listed in an IAEA report issued in 2011 with a trove of intelligence indicating a concerted weapons programme that was halted in 2003, when Iran came under increased international pressure.
Court of third additional munsiff Srinagar
Present:Sunil Kumar In the Case of: Arshid Ahmad Bhat S/O Ghulam Nabi Bhat R/o Hablak, Naseem Bagh Hazratbal Srinagar. Plaintiff.
V/S
1.Mehraj-ud-din Matta S/o Late Ali Mohammad Matta R/o Kaka Road,Naik Sarak, Srinagar 2.State of j&k through its Commisioner Secretary Civil Sectt,Srinagar 3.Regional Transport Officer,Toto Ground, Batmaloo 4.Mst.Amina W/o Late Ali Mohammad Matta R/o Kaka Road Naikh Sark Srinagar 5.Mushtaq ahmad Matta S/o Late Ali Mohammad Matta R/o Kaka Road Naik Sarak 6.Mst, Naseema D/o Late Ali Mohammad Matta R/o Kaka Road Naik Sarak Srinagar 7.Mst Rafiee D/o Late Ali Mohammad Matta R/o Kaka Road Naik Sarak Srinagar In the name of: Suit for Declaration & Mandatory Injuction
Notice
Whereas the plaintiff has filed suit for declaration & mandatory injuction before this court seeking the following decrees: a) Adecree of declaration to the effect that plantiff is the sole owner of the suit vehicle hearing registration No.Jkoij-6684 on the strength of relinguisment deed executed by the proforma of the suit vehicle by the plaintiff from defendant No. 1. b) Adecree of mandatory injuction commanding the defendant No. 1 & 3 to transfer the subject matter of the suit( JKOI-J-6684) in the name of the plaintiff Now therefore the public in general and party to the suit in particular shall be noticed through print media having vide circulation in the state of J&K and being dailyor in daily greater Kashmir in English version to appear before this court in person or through attorney for objections or showing cause as to way the decrees prayed by the plaintiff be not granted in this favour. The objections be filed Withing fifteen days (15) after publication opf this Order before this court.The publication shall be done on the expanses of the plaintiffs. Annouced 09.08.2014
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Daily ZABARWAN TIMES
NEWS
Feroz reviews functioning of JAKEDA, S&T, IT Deptts
Stresses for work in mission mode to make J&K technologically progressive SRINAGAR AUGUST 22, sion, the Minister was given remote areas.The Minister 2014: Minister of State for detailed overview of all three was informed that Information Science & Technology and departments through power Technology has taken up variInformation Technology, point presentations. ous projects in hand including Mr. Feroz Ahmad Khan reAddressing the meeting, the State Data Portal, e-District viewed functioning and prog- Minister stressed upon the offi- Services, e-Treasury, digitizaress of JAKEDA, Science & cers to work in a mission mode tion of demarcation of State Technology(S&T) and Informa- with more dedication to make Forests, Online RTI services tion Technology (IT) depart- Jammu and Kashmir State besides applications for PHE, ments in a meeting convened technologically sound and PDD, Higher Education Departhere today. progressive. He said govern- ments and other departments Secretary Science and Tech- ment has given focused atten- which they hoped will reduce nology Department, Mr. Par- tion to e-governance and has consumer-office interaction vaiz Ahmad Malik, Additional introduced various projects and help fast services. Director, State Science & Tech- for making J&K a digital state While giving detailed overnology Council, CEO, JAKE- so that day to day affairs of the view of JAKEDA Mr. Khan was DA, CEO, JAKEGA and Con- government organisations and told that various projects under sultant State e-Mission Team the people are carried out at the Union Ministry of New and Reand other concerned officers click of a button thus reducing newable Energy are in pipeline were present in the meeting. unnecessary delay, and hassle to produce electrical energy The meeting deliberated to the common man besides from non conventional resourcupon various issues and mat- ensuring speedy disposal of es of energy. He was informed ters pertaining to the depart- matters.Mr. Khan also asked that department is making all ments and suggested the officers to exploit maximum of Lonevarious News Agency Kangan to ensure awareKhan efforts News Agency Ganderbal measures to be taken for makness among like wind, waGulzar News Agency Soura the people about Zahidsuch Bookresources Depot Chadoora ing these departments more vi- the schemes launched by the ter and solar energy. He was Tariq News Hawal and disseminate Bashiralso News Agency Nowhatta brant besides improving theirAgency government told that solar lights are Muzaffar Ali News Agency Alamgari Bazar Budshah News Agencyon Lalsubsidy Chowk to functioning so that their basic the information among the being provided Abdullah Newsmasses Agencyespecially Lal Chowkresiding Sikendar Lalremote Chowkand aim is achieved. On the occain the News peopleAgency living in
Zabarwan Times is available at
un-electrified areas.Regarding the functioning of Science and Technology department the Minister was informed that a Science Centre/science museum will be established in the State soon for which Rs 6 crore have been sanctioned by the centre government. It was
also given out that Biotechnology Park, Patent Information Centre and Innovation Council Centre besides various other programmes aimed at progress and popularization of general sciences is on anvil to encourage and provide platform to the young talent.
Action Plan for Land Records Modernisation for 12 districts of J&K approved SRINAGAR, AUGUST 22- Project sanctioning and monitoring committee of Department of Land Resources, Govt. of India under National Land Records Modernization Programme has approved in its 1st phase the Action Plan for 12 districts for J&K at the cost of Rupees 93.39 crores. The successful and time bound implementation of the Plan would enable the state to extend the programme to remaining 10 Districts in the 2nd phase including administrative units recently sanctioned by the Govt. provided infrastructure for them is raised and completed in due course of time, and an amount of Rs 90 crores shall be available for this phase. The programme in the entire state would in this manner entail Rs 184 crores.
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 Bhat News Agency Magam Zargar News Agency Kunzar Dar News Agency Beerwah Bashir News Agency Sumbal Reshi News Agency Safapora Saleem News Agency Pattan Basharat News Agency Bandipora News Agency ress of upgradationReyaz of Industrial EstatePampore at Gangyal which has beenNews completed at aQazigund Altaf News Agency Pulwama Javaid Agency cost of Rs 9.83 crore G.M meanwhile the MinisJeelani News Agency Baramulla News Agency Sopore ter also directed for preparation of DPRs Shah News Agency Kupwara Sultan News Agency Handwara for the second phase of the project. Younis News Agency Langate Sheikh News Agency Referring to the Industrial Estate atIslamabad SRINAGAR, AUGUST 22: ConSRINAGAR, AUGUST Srinagar Reshi 22: News AgencytoIslamabad Way News Tral Govindsar Kathua, Three the Minister wasAgency inget Rs 27.21 crore Sanat Ghar soon which formed that the said Estate is completely tinuing his efforts to make ensuing NewsSrinagar. Agency Tral Badru News Agency Bijbehara is near completion Turray at Bemina Autumn Assembly Session smooth functional and land Malik measuring kanals News Agency Kulgam News521 Agency Arwani The Sanat Ghar willRahi accommodate offices has been allotted to 81 prospective entre- and hassle free, the Speaker Legislaof all heads of departments and corporaRah News Agency Byepass News Agency tive Assembly Mr. Mubarak Gul topreneurs. All basic Shaheen infrastructure facili- Kargil
Kichloo for timely completion Speaker chairs All Party meeting Seeks cooperation of SICOP projects to make Autumn Assembly Session successful
Says SSI vital in combating unemployment in the state
tions under the administrative control of Industries and Commerce department under one roof. This information was given to the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Home & Tourism, Mr. Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, today at an officers meeting held here to review the achievements of J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (SICOP) The meeting reviewed the status of various projects being executed across the State which are at different levels of completion. The meeting also reviewed the prog-
ties like power, roads, water, drains and other amenities have been made available in the estate. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister urged upon the concerned officers to ensure timely completion of all projects under execution. Mr. Kichloo said that small scale industries have an important role to play in combating the menace of unemployment in the state. He called upon the educated unemployed youth to take benefit of various Government initiatives and schemes in the industry sector and ensure self-employment for them.
LIC launches New Product “Jeevan Rakshak” SRINAGAR, AUGUST 22: Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, adding one more feather to its kitty, launched a new product “Jeevan Rakshak” here today. Addressing the media, Senior Divisional Manager, Mr. D. C. Thakur highlighted the features of the new product, saying that the new Product includes the minimum sum assured of Rs. 75000 with a maximum limit of Rs. 2 lakh in addition to the loyalty additions and nonmedical requirements. Giving brief account about the performance of Srinagar Division, which covers the entire J&K State, has completed more than 31000 policies by procuring Rs. 60 crore of fresh premium in the current fiscal, in addition to Rs. 41 crore in pension and group schemes. It was also able to complete 1.84 lakh policies while underwriting more than Rs. 226 crore in addition to Rs. 174 crore in pension and group schemes during the last financial year, he said and added that the division has also settled 35460 claims amounting to Rs. 132.74 crore by the mid of current month. The organization is also playing a key role in employment generation. It recruits City Career Agents and Rural Career Agents and provides stipend of Rs.3000 and Rs. 1500 per month respectively besides convenience and performance related incentives. The organization is also playing a key role in employment generation. It recruits City Career Agents and Rural Career Agents and provides stipend of Rs.3000 and Rs. 1500 per month respectively besides convenience and performance related incentives.
day convened a meeting of party leaders/chief whips of all political parties in his chamber at the Assembly complex. Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand, Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Mir Saifullah were present in the meeting besides legislators Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta and Mr. Abdul Rehman Veeri. Speaker urged upon the party leaders to ensure complete sanctity
Sahai oversees trial selection for National Dragon Boat Championship SRINAGAR, AUGUST 22: The trials for the 3rd Dragon Boat Race National Championship was organised today at Nehru park Srinagar by the J&K State Sports Council in which over 200 youth, including 70 girls participated. Mr. S.M. Sahai, Additional Director General, Armed Police, Civil Defence, HG and SDRF was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The National Championship is being organised in Srinagar by the J&K State Sports Council in collaboration with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Federation New Delhi from 30th August to 2nd September.Speaking on the occasion Sahai appreciated the Sports Council for organising such an event and stressed that the selection process should be free and fair and only the best players should be selected to represent the State. He announced that J&K Police team, comprising of expert players from Police and Civil Defence, would also be participating in the event. He encouraged girl participants to actively take part in
sports and avail the various benefits of SRO 349 which provides for reservation for sports persons. Sahai also inspected the joint Quick Response Team of State Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence established
at Nehru park and interacted with the volunteers. He assured the rescuers that they would be equipped with motorised boats, life jackets and other rescue equipments.Earlier, Professor Bashir Ahmed, Member J&K State Sports Council wel-
Unprecedented era of development and peace dawned during the current dispensation: G. A. Mir
Asks people to reject divisive, vested elements for J&K’s development
Srinagar, August 22: Saying that the present coalition Government has set into motion a golden era of development, the Minister for Tourism, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that coming years will be a turnaround in socio-economic transformation of the State. He said an unprecedented era of development and peace has dawned during the current dispensation. He said every possible resource is being mobilized and pooled to provide basic facilities to the people with focus on equitable development and uniform justice to the poor and backward areas. Addressing public meetings today at Budsgam, Larkipora, Hillar, Arddehni and Geebum Watrihall in Dooru, the Minister asked the people
of the House and suggested to raise issues of public importance only so that more work could be carried out during the brief session. He said the session being the last session of the present Government, should be mandatory for all concerned to attend the business of the House, especially on the last day to make it a historic event. The Speaker also gave out detail of the arrangements being put in place for smooth conduct of the Session. He said a website has already been launched in order to facilitate instant availability of information on the proceedings, bills and other related matters to members of the House and media persons. During the meeting all participants spoke and unanimously agreed to make the session a successful one. Among others, Secretary Legislative Assembly Mohammad Ramzan and other concerned officers attended the meeting.
to remain cautious of the designs of vested interest groups who create division among people in the name of catchy slogans and ideas. He said their aim is just to hoodwink the gullible and innocent people and not to make any positive contribution to their lives. “They have nothing to offer you except obstructing the growth of the state which has undergone a turnaround after the hard efforts of the present Government”, he said.
The Minister reaffirmed that being a local representative equal development of all the areas is his priority and no injustice would be done to any area of the district on the developmental front. He assured the people that all their genuine developmental needs would be addressed in a phased manner. He also impressed upon the officers to solve the people’s genuine developmental needs on priority. The Minister appealed people to cooperate with the Government in its efforts to bring a developmental turnaround in the State. He said Government is abreast with the problems of the people and no stone will be left unturned to redress their grievances. Later, the Minister accompanied by officers and engineers inspected the pace of progress of several ongoing projects in the area. He instructed them to ensure use of quality building material and judicious utilization of government exchequer besides time bound completion of developmental projects for convenience of the people.
comed the participants and guests and gave a brief resume of Water Sport activities initiated by the present Secretary of the Council, Er. Dilip Thussu. Present on the occasion were Abdul Qayum Peerzada, Chief Sports Officer, Harmeet Singh, Supdt of Police East, Aamir Ali, Deputy Chief Warden, Bilquees Mir, Incharge Water Sports, Mushtaq Ahmed, Divisional Sports Officer, Vinod Kumar, SDPO, Riyaz Ahmed, DO Nehru park, Muzafar Jan, Divisional Warden, CD Volunteers, SDRF team, locals and a large number of tourists.The selection committee constituted by J&K Sports Council comprised of Zahoor Ahmed Latoo, Parvaiz Shagoo, Imtiaz Ahmed, Feroz Ahmed, Adil Mohiuudin and Mustafa Kand. The committee is required to select the best players to form two teams to represent J&K State, one team, comprising of male members and second mixed team, with both male and female participants.
Mir conducts extensive tour of Tangmarg SRINAGAR, AUGUST 22: Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir conducted an extensive 2 days tour of Tangmarg Tehsil where he inspected various ongoing developmental works, addressed a series of public meetings at Nambalnar, Hajibal and Bungam and held public grievances redressal camps at Chuntipathri and Waniloo-the far off and remote villages of the Tehsil. While inspecting pace of work on Chanpora Bridge on Nallah Ferozepore near Bus Stand Kunzer being constructed by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) at a cost of Rs 6.05 crore, the Minister directed the concerned authorities to redouble the efforts and complete the work within stipulated time. He was informed that the work was suspended because of some hurdles which have now been removed. The Minister said that the bridge is only surface link to connect a vast area comprising dozens villages with Kunzer and Tangmarg. Mr. Mir was informed that under the Roads and Buildings Sector a massive network project for construction of roads, macadamization and black topping on existing roads and enhancing of grading of roads from G-1 to G-2 and G-3 is in progress. He was informed that completion of 12 Km road length was taken up under NABARD-18 at an estimated cost of Rs 3.60 crore in Zeeran-Hajibal and its allied links in the area.
SRINAGAR | SATURDAY
23. 08 .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
Daily
Zabarwan Times
Srinagar, Saturday 23 August 2014
Quote of the day
Climate Change Issues Need Better Attention T
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Thomas A. Edison
Wait is their fate
T
he frustration amongst the educated youth is increasing due to enormous delays in the recruitment of vacant posts. The SSB is not capable of dealing with the situation and the open confrontation between N.C. and Congress has virtually brought everything on a stand still position. Even recently announced cabinet decision to recruit educated youths on contractual basis in different departments has been stalled by the negative attitude of both the parties. Congress is playing role of major sport spoiler and is not allowing any thing to move ahead as this party knows its fate in the coming assembly elections. It does not want that N.C. should take credit in appointments as that will benefit N.C. hugely in the elections. The State Congress party is in negative and malicious hands who are trying to indulge in sorts of adverse things including polarization of the state. The coalition govt. is paralyzed and no major decision including that of regularization of daily wagers is being approved due to non convening of cabinet meeting. The SSB has become a money minting machine for the govt. as it drains out lacs of rupees from unemployed youths on the name of the cost of forms and the bank drafts to be attached with application forms which yield no results. There are posts which have advertised years back, interviews conducted but the candidates are still waiting for orders of appointments which will perhaps never come before these youths cross the required age limit. It is unfortunate that the state govt. is not able to remove the bottle necks so that fast track recruitments take place. Now as only two months are left for elections, it seems over for the prospective candidates and those hoping to get some kind of earnings before polls.
he 18th Ministerial meeting of the BASIC countries-- Brazil, South Africa, India and China-- has just concluded in New Delhi. It was attended by the environment ministers of the four countries, ahead of the forthcoming UN Climate Summit meeting on 23rd of September. It will be hosted by the UN Secretary General Ban ki moon in New York and will seek to create a political momentum for the climate negotiation talks to be held in Lima, Peru in December. The meeting emphasized once again that it was time for the developed world to work in close cooperation with the four BASIC countries to resolve the issues pertaining to climate change. It said that the rich nations must in fact take a lead in dealing with pollution- induced climate change and take suitable action keeping in mind the ‘historical responsibilities ’. The Indian environment minister Mr.Prakash Javadekar said later that it was found that on the mitigation front actions taken by the developing countries are more concrete than the developed world. It is therefore high time for the developed countries to “walk the Talk” in this regard. The Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China Xie Zhenhua pointed out that developing countries were contributing 60% cut in the mitigation field by cutting down Green House Gas emissions. This has become possible thanks to the big strides taken in renewable energy sector in India and many other countries. It is unfortunate that despite the dangers of global warming in front of us not much is being done. What we see is a tussle between the developed and the developing world on taking most wanted measures. For instance, the Kyoto Protocol which forms the central point of all efforts in the field of environment and subsequent nego-
tiations have put a responsibility on developed nations to provide sufficient financial, technical and capacity building support to the developing countries to enable them to pursue mitigation efforts. This has not happened. The joint statement issued later expressed disappointment over the continued lack of any clear roadmap for providing US$ 100 billion per year by developed countries by 2020. They urged developed countries to honour their obligations to provide ‘new, additional and predictable financial support to developing countries in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner’. It was in this backdrop that the New Delhi meeting of BASIC countries called upon the developed countries to make early and substantial capitalization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It also underlined the need for all parties to communicate their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) as early as possible.
Climate change has also been identified as the biggest health threat of this century. This must make the world sit up and resolve issues at the earliest. Urgent steps need to be taken to meet this challenge. Obviously, most of the brunt of the implications of climate change is borne by the developing countries. But that is no reason for the developed countries to take a back seat. Since climate change impacts are global in nature, adaptation measures also need an international response. Fortunately, this bloc of four countries has become quite powerful to be able to thwart any attempt by rich nations to unreasonably impose their wish on developing nations during any negotiations on climate change issues under the UN convention. The joint statement issued after the two- day
meeting reaffirmed their position that the future global climate deal must fulfil the principles of equity and 'common but differentiated responsibilities' (CBDR) under UN convention. The Ministers reiterated that the six core elements for the 2015 outcome at Lima have been identified and that these should be addressed in a ‘balanced and comprehensive manner through an open and transparent, inclusive, party-driven and consensus-building process’. It was noted with concern that the pre-2020 ambition gaps exist not only in mitigation but also in adaptation, finance, technology and capacity-building support to developing countries. They reiterated that the contribution of developing countries to mitigation efforts is far greater than that of developed countries and could be further enhanced if developed countries effectively implement and significantly increase their commitments of providing finance, technology and capacity building support to developing countries. The Ministers called for the full operationalization of and close coordination between institutions established in the Bali process, including the Green Climate Fund, the Standing Committee on Finance, the Technology Executive Committee, the Climate Technology Centre and Network and the Adaptation Committee. One hopes that the next round of UN Climate summit meeting later this month will be more productive keeping in view the concerns of the developing nations. The next round of the BASIC ministerial meeting will take place in South Africa in October. *Ashok Handoo is a Senior Freelance Journalist.
ICAR- Spearheading Tricolor Revolution in Agriculture T
his year 29th July was the momentous day for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research as Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the agricultural scientists on the occasion of 86th Foundation Day and ICAR Award Ceremony. In his inspiring, motivating and suggestive address, Prime Minister called upon agricultural scientists to work for making farming community more empowered and prosperous through new science and technology interventions. He reiterated that we must make adequate improvements in technology options in sync with fast changing climate scenario in different agro climatic zones. Emphasizing on the need for conservation and efficient use of water resources, he said ‘More Crop, Per Drop’ should be our mantra. Prime Minister was apprised of some of the key initiatives of ICAR primarily in the areas of climate resilience, natural resource management, input use efficiency, secondary agriculture and economic transformation of farming community through innovations and interventions. The wide network of ICAR is functioning and synchronizing its array of activities to realize its mission, ‘harness power of science and education with a human touch for higher and sustainable agricultural production’. Indian agriculture being a monsoon dependent activity, late onset and deficient monsoon posed a serious challenge to farmers vis-à-vis food production of the country. Over 520 district level Contingency Plans under National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) developed and demonstrated at locations. Interface meetings were organized with state officials and other stakeholders for smooth implementation and mobilization of various inputs to the farmers. Facilitations were provided to ensure timely delivery of seeds to farmers of the short duration varieties of crops and contingent/alternate crops. Various measures of water harvesting at farms and efficient use of water were demonstrated to farmers along with organization of awareness camps to mitigate the climate adversity. Council has also prepared the climatic vulnerability atlas of the country to help develop a road
map for sustained mitigation interventions. More thrust in being given to develop drought resistant, flood/ water logging tolerant, salt tolerant, short duration varieties and multiple disease resistant varieties of major crops. Technology led and knowledge driven innovations and interventions are spearheading the country towards tricolor revolution having significant increase in overall food production. This year, a record 263 million tonnes production of food grains and 269 million tonnes in horticultural produce ensured sustainable food and nutritional security for the countrymen. National level technology demonstration on pulse production in 6,000 villages along with use of improved varieties resulted in all time high production of 19.5 million tonnes. Continuous efforts to raise productivity of pulses from 750 to 1,000 kg per hectare are being made with horizontal expansion in area up to three million hectare by 2020. In oil seeds new varieties are being developed having high oil content and production potential. Oil palm has been recognized as an alternative and effective oil crop having potential oil yield of 3-4 tonnes per hectare. Tissue culture protocols for mass multiplication of oil palm have been developed to quickly raise its area. In commercial crops, India emerged as second largest producer of cotton with production of 35.3 million bales during the year. New production, management and crop protection technologies, especially developed for Bt cotton, helped expansion of its area up to 90% of the cotton belt. In sugarcane, production reached to approximately 361 million tonnes with productivity peaking at 70 tonnes per hectare. Recent advances in livestock production and management practices led to record production of 136 million tonnes of milk, which is highest in the world, as against nearly 128 million tonnes during 2012-13. In poultry, an impressive 70 billion eggs were produced gaining from scientific practices. Gramapriya and Vanaraja breeds of chicken have become most sought after breeds for backyard poultry due
to their high performance under rural conditions. Improved breeds of quail, duck, turkey and guinea fowl were introduced and popularized to enhance the poultry basket of the country. This year, fish production reached to 9.45 million tonnes banking upon diversified fish farming system. Popular fish Rohu was improved through selection for better productivity gains. Dissemination of user friendly technologies at ground level is undertaken by a wide network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) having direct interface with farmers. With the establishment of new KVKs during the year, now the number stands at 639 making it the largest network of technology assessment, refinement and transfer. As part of regional cooperation, the ICAR also organized ASEAN-India Farmers’ Exchange programme and also facilitated the study visit of Nigerian delegation that came to familiarize with Indian agricultural research and extension system in general and KVKs in particular. Under the Tribal Sub Plan, ICAR closely worked with tribal farmers to enhance their livelihood security in different parts of the country. Council also demonstrated technology-led agriculture innovation systems for improving livelihood security in 91 backward districts of the country to about 1.43 lakh poor farming families. Intensive efforts resulted in adoption of sea cage farming by families of Sidi African tribes, living on Veravel coast, Gujarat as a highly profitable vocation. Integrated farm interventions in Bali island of Sunderbans, West Bengal enhanced livelihood of the tribal residents. Location-specific integrated farming systems were designed for small and marginal farm households in different states with farmers’ participation. Among some milestone achievements, contribution of the ICAR scientists in decoding of wheat genome is the most promising and latest one. As a part of the international consortium, Chromosome ‘2A’ was decoded helping identification of 1, 25,000 genes. The research got prominent coverage in the top international research journal ‘Science’ (18th July,
2014). Under the ambitious programme of cloning of Murrah Buffaloes, a male calf named ‘Rajat’ was produced through the Hand-guided Cloning Technique. The new born calf is a clone of Proven Buffalo Bull (MU-4393) whose frozen semen was available in the institutional semen bank. The donor cell was taken from the frozen semen of this bull. Female cloned calves named ‘Lalima’ and ‘Purnima’ were produced by taking the donor cell from the ear of elite buffaloes. To facilitate the advancement of genomics in the country, ‘ASHOKA’ (Advanced Supercomputing Hub for OMICS Knowledge in Agriculture) was dedicated to the nation which is a state-of–art facility, first of its kind devoted exclusively for Indian agricultural research. The supercomputing hub is poised to bridge the gap between genomic information and knowledge by utilizing statistical and computational sciences. A step forward has been taken for securing India’s crop genetic diversity by joining the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV). India deposited 25 accessions of pigeon pea as ‘safety duplicates’ in the global gene bank on 9 April, 2014. The global gene bank is jointly maintained and managed by the Norway’s Department of Agriculture and the Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT) under the international Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). Indian Council of Agricultural Research has geared up to face social-economic challenges before agriculture as a profession. Business partnership has been developed with companies for commercialization of technologies through AgrInnovate India Limited which is a registered company owned by DARE/ICAR. Seeds, farm implements & machinery, diagnostics & vaccines and value added products are the major areas identified for business enterprises. All out efforts are being made to raise profitability of agriculture for making it a really attractive occupation, especially for youth. *Dr. S. Ayyappan is the Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research Ministry of Agriculture.
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