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THURSDAY 28 August | 2014 | 02 Zul-qaddah, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | http://www.zabarwantimes.com
India, Pakistan Hold Flag Meeting After Recent Border Firing
JAMMU: Amid border hostilities, India and Pakistan today held a flag meeting at Pargwal area in Jammu near the International Border. The 35-minute-long meeting between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers was the first since multiple ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in the last couple of weeks. Both sides reportedly registered their protest over the recent incidents of firing at the border. Today’s meeting comes just a day after senior military commanders from both sides met to discuss steps to restore calm. India claims that in the last two weeks, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control or de-facto border more than 20 times.
In fact, the continuous firing from Pakistan over the last fortnight is “the heaviest cross-border firing I’ve seen since the 1971 war,” said DK Pathak, the chief of the Border Security Force. Tension between Pakistan and India has rocketed over the last few weeks; New Delhi has called off talks in Islamabad after Pakistan decided to consult Kashmiri separatists before the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries were to hold a summit. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kashmir and accused Pakistan of using militants to conduct “a proxy war” against India. Pakistan denounced the charges as “baseless” and said India should steer clear of “a blame game.”
Omar Abdullah chairs high-level party meeting Meeting discusses several important issues including coming elections Srinagar, Aug 27 : National Conference Working President Omar Abdullah presided over a high-level party meeting today. The meeting was attended by Senior National Conference leaders including NC General Secretary and Senior Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Senior Minister Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, Member of Parliament Mohammad Shafi Uri, Provincial President Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani and Provincial President Jammu Devender Singh Rana besides various other senior party leaders. The NC Working President and senior party leaders discussed the political situation within the State and in the country and also deliberated upon various recent developments. The party leaders also apprised the
Working President of various steps that are being taken to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Omar Abdullah discussed the party’s preparedness and plan of action for the forthcoming Assembly Elections and asked the party leaders to work in close contact with the party cadre in all three regions of the State. The NC leaders also discussed various policies and issues concerning the common-man and reiterated NC’s commitment to work tirelessly for the welfare and prosperity of the people of J&K. The National Conference leaders also reiterated the need to nurture and follow the tradition, ethos and ideology of the party and its founder Sher-eKashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who gave numerous sacrifices to safeguard the rights See Omar On PG 11..
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NC-Cong hold Coordination Committee meeting State Cabinet to meet on Saturday Srinagar, Aug 27 : After an apparent faceoff over some important issues pertaining to re-settlement of refugees, reservation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the National Conference and Congress Coordination Committee held its meeting on Wednesday evening. A member of the Coordination Committee also confirmed that the State Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Saturday evening. Besides transfers in civil and police department, the Cabinet is scheduled to take up many important issues including vacant posts in different commissions in the state. The cabinet meeting is also likely to take a call on reservation for Paharis and settlement of refugees in Jammu.
Pertinently, Prof Saifuddin Soz, the president Pradesh Congress Committee had predicted fall of government if the Chief Minister failed to convene cabinet meeting. In its today’s meeting, sources said that the Coordination Committee of the two coalition partners discussed a range of issues including vacant posts in Public Service Commission (PSC), State Accountability Commission (SAC) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). The committee also held threadbare discussion on issues of Paharis and refugees to be taken up by the government, possibly in the next cabinet meetings on Saturday. A senior minister in the government See Meeting On PG 11..
114 civilians killed in 2010: Govt FIRs against 6563, 4 enquiries ordered, 1 pending Srinagar, Aug 26: The government on Wednesday said that 114 civilians lost their lives during protests in Kashmir valley and FIRs were registered against 6563 persons during the year 2010. According to the KNS correspondent, the government responded to the question submitted by PDP’s Abdul Rahman Veeri wherein the legislator asked the government about the number of persons against whom FIRs have been registered during 2010 in various police stations of Kashmir valley. The MLA asked about the number of persons against whom FIRs have been withdrawn. The legislator had also asked the government about the number of civilian killings by police and security forces since 2009 and the total number
of enquires ordered during the said period and the result of such enquiries if any. During the question hour, the home minister stated that since 2009 till ending of July 2014, 114 civilians lost their lives in Kashmir valley who were part of the violent mobs/ protests, got injured during the engagements between the protestors and the deployment on the ground and succumbed to their injuries. The government stated further that 20 persons lost their lives due to various law and order disturbances including stone pelting, stampede, blast, drowning etc. Over the enquiries into the killings, the government said that four magisterial enquiries were ordered, during this period, out of which three have been See Govt On PG 11..
We have called-off teaching till 7th Sep: Principal Srinagar, August 27: In yet another incident related to cricket, at least half a dozen Kashmir students sustained injuries last night after local students and residents allegedly thrashed them at Swami Parmanand College of Engineering & Technology (SPCET) in Chandigarh ‘forcing’ them to flee The students told GNS over phone that while watching cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the hostel room, local students
ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Pakistan's political crisis showed no signs of resolution on Wednesday with talks between the government and protesters failing on the issue of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation. After the fifth round of talks, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan called off the dialogue with the government, saying that he will not be able to get justice as long as Sharif stays on as Prime Minister. The hardening of stance came even as the Supreme Court ordered the demonstrators to clear the Constitution Avenue by tomorrow. Facing his toughest test since coming to power last year, a defiant Sharif on brushed aside the demand of protesters asking him to quit saying the country has survived "difficult times" and the current political crisis too shall pass.
areas of Jammu province. Party leader and nominated candidate for Kupwara Fayaz Ahmad Mir, Ch Salamudin, Deen Mohammad Cheetah , Adv Khurshid Ah, Haji GH Mohammad Mir, Mohamad Afzal Wani, Peer Mehrajudin and many others were also present on these occasions. Mehbooba said the hatred against the NC led coalition had created an unprecedented vacuum on the political scene of the state which is filled largely by the PDP which See Mehbooba On PG 11..
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Cricket again: Kashmir students ‘thrashed’ in Chandigarh College, ‘forced’ to flee thrashed them. “Around 9:00 pm, we were watching Pakistan’s match in Block A of the College hostel when around 80 Hindu non local students barged into our Block and started thrashing us ruthlessly,” Nazim Mughal, a 6th Semester B.Tech student told GNS. “The reason for their aggression against us was Pakistan’s match. They didn’t like it. It was intolerable for them to see us watching the match,” he said.
The students told GNS that following the incident, the hostel’s warden and police, who rushed to the spot, directed the Kashmir students to remain in their rooms. “We obeyed their order,” they said. “At 12:00 a.m. around 25 masked men, holding iron rods and sticks, barged into our Block and beat us mercilessly. They also broke glasses of windows. These people were not students but outsiders,” the students told GNS.
Talks stalled over PM Nawaz Sharif’s resignation demand
‘PDP to focus on development of backward areas’
Srinagar, Aug 27 (KNS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said the anti people policies of the present government and the inability of National Conference (NC) to fulfill its commitments to the people and deliver good governance have led to the emergence of forces which are seeking access to power by dividing people and regions. According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a number of meetings in Kupwara she said from autonomy to removal of AFSPA and providing rations, water supply, power or jobs NC led government failed on every front and gave an opportunity to BJP to emerge as a force in some
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Pakistan political crisis worsen
NC’s failure gave opportunity to BJP’s divisive policies : Mehbooba
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Political stalemate has continued for the last two weeks with Khan-led PTI and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri's Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) refusing to budge from their demand of the Prime Minister's resignation over allegations of rigging in last year's general election and killing of 14 PAT supporters in Lahore on June 17. The talks between the PTI and the government ended in a stalemate today with the sticking point being the protesters' demand of Prime Minister's
resignation. "There will be no negotiations with your team now. No resignation, no negotiations," Khan told a crowd of supporters outside the Parliament. "Nawaz Sharif is buying time. If we let him stay, he will buy officials and media houses," Khan said. "We offered concessions, we agreed for the Prime Minister to resign only for 30 days, but they know what would happen if they allow investigations to proceed," the cricketer-turned politician said. "If you pull back, there will be no independent inquiry under Nawaz Sharif," Khan said. He claimed that the government offered to make him deputy prime minister. Khan's move to call off talks came after Qadri's 48-hour ultimatum to Sharif to step down expired. Qadri announced the deadline for the government to quit on Monday after See Pakistan On PG 11..
Omar sees off Hajj-2014 pilgrims Wishes them well-being, successful performance of Hajj
PIC: Faizan Altaf/ZT Srinagar, Aug 27: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah this morning send off the first batch of 270 Hajj-2014 pilgrims from Srinagar International Airport. The Chief Minister while in-
teracting with them wished them well-being, success and smooth performance of Manasik-i-Hajj. The pilgrims reciprocated the good wishes See Hajj On PG 11..
NC a sub-regional party, has no support base in Jammu, Ladakh: BJP
Jammu,Aug 27: Terming the claim of Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference (NC) that it represented the entire state as "ridiculous", BJP on Wednesday asked how a party which got only 11.1 per cent of the votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections could make such a claim. The NC's claim that it represents all three regions -- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh -- of the state is ridiculous, BJP state unit president and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma said. "It is a tale of travesty that a party, which got only 11.1 percent of the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections is making such a loud claim," Sharma said. The NC, like PDP and Congress, has no support base in Jammu and Ladakh regions and whatever little support base it has is confined only to a few pockets in the Kashmir valley, he said, adding that the NC is not even a regional party. "NC is a sub-regional party and it enjoys some support in parts of Kashmir Valley," he said. In the upcoming Assembly elec-
Graft charges against 304 officials Scores under investigation Accused include politicians,top bureaucrats Srinagar, Aug 27: Jammu and Kashmir government Wednesday revealed that cases of corruption have been registered against more than 600 persons including bureaucrats and other gazetted and non-gazetted officials in the state. Ironically, the government has succeeded to prosecute only 34 officials and officers so far while the cases against the remaining accused officials are still pending in Vigilance and Crime Branch. In a written reply to a question by CPI-M leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami seeking particulars about officers and officials involved in corruption cases and misappropriation of funds, the government said 304 such cases involving top officials were pending before SVO and Crime Branch.
The students said the thrashing incidents led to injuries to at least 6 students who belong to Kashmir. “Fortunately, no one among us sustained head injuries,” they said. “The Police arrived again and detained four students under detention, however, they were freed later,” said Muhammad Rashid, a student who lives in Jammu. Following the attacks on students, the student, Nazim said: See Cricket On PG 11..
“They are either under investigation in initial stage, final stage, or the probe is in progress,” government said. The government data according to CNS reveals that 144 cases involving more than 300 officials and officers are pending with Vigilance Organization and Crime Branch Jammu while the number of cases pending with these two graft agencies of Kashmir are 126. As per government data the officials and officers against whom graft charges have been filed include Engineers, Directors, Assistant Directors, Managers, Enforcement Officers, Ward Officers, Tehsildars, Supervisors, Police officers, Block Development Officers, Store Keepers and others. Most of the cases are See Graft On PG 11..
tions, NC would lose even that support base as it has become the most unpopular party owing to its acts of omission and commission and corruption, he added. He said NC and PDP have turned so desperate that they are now toying with the idea of granting general amnesty to those involved in stone-pelting incidents. Reacting to NC's demand of "greater autonomy" for the state, the BJP MP said the state's people, barring a few disgruntled elements, is opposed to autonomy and self-rule. "The people of the state are for mainstream politics.They are committed to the unity and integrity of the country. They eagerly long for a system that ends discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh, harmonises inter-regional relations and defeats communal forces," Sharma said. Sharma said it is the BJP which represents more than 88 per cent of the area of the state in Parliament and he has See NC On PG 11..
Indo-Pak talks resumption creates ruckus in legislature Srinagar, August 27: Kashmir legislative council on Wednesday witnessed pandemonium over the tabling of a resolution seeking resumption of Indo-Pak talks. The members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party stood on their seats created ruckus. After Devender Rana of the ruling National Conference (NC), who intended to table the resolution, was allowed by the chairman to speak on the resolution. The opposition members were asserting that sufficient time had not been given to them to study the resolution. “Dialogue is needed so that tension along the border between the two countries is eased," the resolution reads. The move however was also opposed by NC leader Shahnaz Ganai, who said Devender Rana had been allowed to table the resolution while her calling attention motion on connected issues had been ignored. Rana aggrieved with the objection of opposition leaders especially MLC Naeem Akhtar, later left the room amid ruckus. See Indo-Pak On PG 11..
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Srinagar, Thursday 28 August 2014
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Meeting... told KNS that the Coordination Committee also discussed regularization of daily wagers. Earlier, the Congress had accused National Conference of shown reluctance in convening the Cabinet meeting allegedly just to deny it from taking credit for the issues of reservation for Paharis and settlement of Refugees. Congress had also made it clear that it will not budge on these issues and will continue to raise them till the fulfillment of their demands. Soz while talking to KNS had accused NC of suffering from ‘lack of coordination’ within the party due to which, according to Soz NC didn’t participate in the NC-Congress Coordination Committee meeting. “It is unfortunate that NC didn’t attend the meeting. We wanted to raise the issues of people so that their woes could end at an earliest but the backtracking of NC was unfortunate. Actually it is the lack of coordination within the National Conference due to which the meet had to be cancelled.” A senior Congress leader had also told KNS that Congress the issues of Paharais and OBCs are the long pending demands of Congress and the same needed a passionate consideration of the coalition government. A day ahead on August 15 independence day function, Omar had announced reduction of electricity duty by 12 percent and declared reservation of 5 percent for Pahari speaking people and 2 percent for OBCs. (KNS)
Govt... finalized and one is in progress. The government also stated that during the year 2010, FIRs were registered against 6563 persons out of whom FIRs have been withdrawn in respect of 1811 persons.(KNS)
Cricket... “Today, we requested the college authorities to return our documents so that we could go to our homes. We felt insecure in the institution.” The students told GNS that after they informed college authorities of returning to Kashmir, they replied by saying: “It’s your decision. If you want to return to college, then return and if not, then don’t.” A student told GNS that around 250 to 300 students from Jammu and Kashmir is studying in the college and are pursing B. Tech. “90 per cent of them were admitted here under MHRD scheme,” he said. Meanwhile, the students have left the college and are on their way to Kashmir, Nazim said. The principal of the college, Jyoti Kaul Matto, told GNS that there was ‘minor scuffle’ between the students and claimed it has no connection with the cricket match. She admitted that there were injuries to the students but of ‘minor nature’. Meanwhile, the principal said to ensure safety of the students, they have called-off teaching in the institute till7th of September and all the hostels have been vacated. She denied that the students from Jammu and Kashmir were targeted in particular. (GNS)
Omar... and dignity of his people. NC Working President Omar Abdullah said the party was bound in its commitment to uphold the values and ideals passed on to them by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. (KNS)
Pakistan... talks with the government failed to make any headway. Meanwhile, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, gave the order for PTI and PAT protesters to clear the Constitution Avenue, including a road in front of the apex court and the Parliament. The order was given during the hearing of identical petitions filed by bar associations across the country against the PAT and PTI sit-ins. According to petitioners, protesters are breaching the rights of the common citizen which ensure freedom of movement and right of assembly.
NC... no doubt that in the coming assembly polls it will also emerge as a force to reckon with in the valley as well. People in the valley are coming forward in large numbers to join BJP to enable it to not only achieve its 'Mission 44+' but also to lead the state to a new era of development, peace and prosperity, he claimed. He advised PDP to not follow in the footsteps of NC, and said if it continues to vitiate the atmosphere by propagating the pernicious self rule doctrine, it would also meet the fate NC and Congress met in the Lok Sabha elections.
Mehbooba... emerged victorious in as many as 41 assembly segments in the Lok Sabha elections. Unfortunately the collapse of congress which was the major player in some areas of Jammu as result of its fall at the national level and that performance of its ministers created conditions for BJP to come into the state with a divisive agenda. She said it is obvious that communal polarization on which the BJP has based its ambitions could in ultimate analysis pose a threat to the unity and integrity of state. “ The only practical option would be for the people from all regions of the state to strengthen the progressive initiatives of PDP under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed” she added. (KNS)
Hajj... and showered him with prayers.Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, and Legislator and Member State Hajj Committee, Dr. Shehnaz Ganie was also present on the occasion. As per this year’s Hajj schedule the flights will oper-
Zabarwan Times ate directly from Srinagar Airport to Madina Munawara. Today only one flight was scheduled while as from 28th August 2014 two flights each carrying 275 pilgrims will take off daily till 12th of September 2014. A total number of 7007 pilgrims are proceeding for Hajj this year through State Hajj Committee. Arrangements of transport, boarding and lodging at Hajj House Srinagar, luggage checking, security, vaccination, hassle-free screening of baggage, refreshment, food, ablution, nimaz, immigration clearance, distribution of zum-zum, distribution of travel documents, issuance of boarding passes, etc. have been finalized and are in place. Each male Hajji has been provided with a special jacket and female Hajji with a scarf with logo of State Hajj Committee for identification. (KNS)
Graft... related to the misappropriation of government funds. Some cases against ‘corrupt’ officials that had been closed by Vigilance Organization are being re-investigated after the intervention of Court. Some of the big fish against whom corruption charges are being investigated include, Abdul Rashid Dar the then Chairman Legislative Council, Mushtaq Peer then BOPEE chairman, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Reyaz Farooq Principal Dental College Srinagar, G.A.Khawaja Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Abdul Majid Mir then Director CA&PD Kashmir, Nagendra Sharma Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu, Romesh Kumar Bhat, then ASP Noushera at present SP Security J&K, M.A.Malik then Chief Engineer and Director SPD Jammu, Ejaz Iqbal then Managing Director SFC, Hemant Kumar then Director CA&PD Jammu, Muhammad Subhan Najar then Managing Director JKPCC, Nazir Ahmed Shah then Chief Engineer PWD (R&B department Kashmir), Ashok Kumar Sharma then Director Health Services, Vinod Koul Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Jammu, Mubarak Singh then Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, Nasir Iqbal Parray then ADC Udhampur, Brij Bhushan Sharma then MD J&K Cooperative Housing, Faqir Chand Bhagat then Director Urban Local Bodies Jammu, O.P Kalandaria then DC Udhampur and others. A Revenue official according to CNS accused of illegal and fraudulent mutation of government land has expired while his case is still under investigation. Similarly, the case of another deceased Legislative Council official is under investigation. (CNS)
Indo-Pak... While talking to the reporters outside the house, he said that he had left the house because he cannot accept that politics should be played over such sensitive issues. "I am really feeling bad over people doing politics over such a sensitive and humanitarian issue. People are dying and there are people who are trying to do politics over the issue," Rana said.(GNS)
Shepherd community seeks tribal status Srinagar, Aug 27: Asking state government to bring them at par with Pahari speaking people on Reservation front, Shepherd community in Kashmir Valley Wednesday said from last six decades successive governments have been ignoring them as a result whole community is facing hardships. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Wednesday Jammu and Kashmir Chopan Welfare Association (JKCWA) said that a resolution to grant Tribal Status to Chopan community was passed in the state Legislative Assembly in 2010 but the government has not taken any cognizance of that resolution so far. He said granting Tribal
Status to Chopan Community is a long pending genuine demand which needs consideration. “The same community in our Jammu division has already been granted this status and there should be no discrimination as far as the status of community living in Kashmir is concerned,” they said. They said that recently the State government ignored their community again when Chief Minister announced 5 per cent reservation in favour of Pahari speaking people. “We are not against any community but we appeal government to take our hardships and sufferings into account and grant us tribal status,” they said. (CNS)
Army facilitates employment of youth from remote areas Srinagar, Aug 27: Building upon previous pro-
grammes in employment generation, wherein 22 youth from the remote Karnah tehsil of Kupwara district had been employed in attractive retail sector jobs such as Cafe Coffee Day in Pune and a BPO in Chandigarh, today, the Indian Army again organized an employment drive in Tangdhar where 176 youth came to seek their fortune. The employment drive was organized through a tie-up with the Himayat Program, being run jointly by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the NGOIL&FS. After enrolment and counseling, the youth were directed to report for training to the Himayat Training Facility at Jammu, where they will be empowered with the skill-sets required for jobs in the retail sector. The spirits of the attendees were bolstered by the presence of earlier graduates of the program who gave out their own very pleasant experiences of their training, their workplaces and the welcoming attitude of people of their host cities. The youth and their parents were extremely thankful to the Indian Army for taking the initiative to link them up to a program which will ensure a brighter future for them. (KNS)
Arms and ammunition recovered in Anantnag Srinagar, Aug 27): Anantnag police along with 19 RR
launched a search operation in the jungle area of Chree, Larnoo in the jurisdiction of police station Kokernag. During the search operation arms and ammunition was recovered from an underground dump in a potato farm.
BSF attack aftermath:
10 youth arrested during nocturnal raids ‘All are notorious stone-pelters’: Police
Srinagar, Aug 27: Days after attack on Border Security Forece (BSF) security vehicle in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police and other security agencies apprehended 10 youth from Koil hamlet during nocturnal raids. The local population has alleged that militant attack on BSF has turned out to be a nuisance for them as according to them government forces are harassing the youth of the area on the one or the other pretext. Sources told CNS that government forces during nocturnal raids in Koil village detained 10 youth against all of whom police
has lodged attempt to murder cases and these youth according to police have been lodged in different police stations of the district. Locals said that a fleet of police and security forces vehicles appeared in Koil hamlet during the dead of night and raided different houses. “Ten youth from the village were dragged out from their houses and taken to unknown destination,” a local informed CNS adding that government forces have been frequently conducting nocturnal raids in the area after the August 16 attack on BSF security vehicles in which two security personnel were killed. The locals identified the arrested youth as Tariq Bashir Sofi, Manzoor Qadir Kumar,
02 die, 08 injured in road accidents Srinagar, Aug 27: Two persons died while eight others were injured in separate road accidents across the valley. A Tavera vehicle bearing registration number JK01T / 5286 driven by Javed Ahmad Najar resident of Nowhar, ChariSharief hit and injured a 05 year old boy Yasir Ahmad son of Rayees Ahmad resident of Litter Aglar Shopian at Bus Adda Charar-i- Sharief. He was shifted to Sub District Hospital Chari-Sharief for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. Police has arrested the driver of the vehicle and seized the vehicle. Police has registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, an unknown tractor hit a 05 year boy Rehaan Ahmad Rather son of Azad Ahmad resident of Chaki Ranbirpora at Chaki Ranbirpora, in the jurisdiction of Police Station D.H Pora, resulting in his on spot death. Police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, a Tata Nano bearing registration number JK16/1454 driven by Waseem Ahmad Shah son of Mohammad Yousuf Shah resident of Mangrolla hit a Motorcycle at Mangroola, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Tangmarg, resulting in critical injuries to motor cyclist Naseer Ahmad
Wani son of Ghulam Hassan and pillion Mushtaq Ahmad Reshi son of Ghulam Rasool resident of Pariswani. Both the injured were shifted to JVC hospital, Srinagar for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, a tipper bearing registration number JK04B-5955 driven by Javid Ahmad Sofi resident of Pathlibagh, Budgam hit a motor cycle bearing registration number JK05B/3441 near Wullar Vintage Park, resulting in injuries to the motor cyclist Khursheed Ahmad Wani son of Mohammad Sultan Wani resident of Bihama Ganderbal. He was shifted to Sub District Hospital, Bandipora for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, a Santro car bearing registration number DL2LAD/5114 collided with a Scorpio vehicle bearing registration number JK01M/0011 at Bypass near Master Pro Engineering College, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Nowgam, resulting in injuries to 05 persons including Santro driver. All the injured were shifted to JVC, SMHS and SKIMS Soura, Srinagar hospitals for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. (KNS)
Sagar introduces JKCS Act
Srinagar, Aug 27: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar today introduced “A Bill to amend the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions) Act, 2010 (L.A. Bill No. 13 of 2014)” in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill has already been published in an extraordinary issue of the Government Gazette. The Bill aims to extend the time period for submission of requisite information of all cases of Adhoc, Contractual or Consolidated employees engaged in various departments for regularization to the Empowered Committee. The Sub-section 2 of Section 10 of the Act imposes obligation on all the Administrative Departments to refer all the cases of Adhoc, Contractual and Consolidated employees for regularization to the Empowered Committee with in Sixty days of commencement of the Act. Keeping in view the genuineness of these cases, it was felt necessary to amend the sections 10 of the said Act so that all these cases of Adhoc, Contractual and Consolidated employees could be considered for regularization by the Empowered Committee. (KNS)
Kulgam police recovers 4 quintal Fukki 4.93 lacs cash also recovered from the peddlers
Srinagar, Aug 27: Kulgam police arrested a peddler and recovered about 4 quintals of Fukki while being smuggled out from Kulgam and 4lacs 93 thousand cash from his car. Police has launched a manhunt to nab his accomplice who managed to give slip. On a tip off, Kulgam police in presence of a Magistrate seized a Trailer bearing registration number PB 010 BG 8208 and a Verna car bearing registration number PB 08 CC 8085. Upon the search of the seized vehicles police recovered about 4 quintals of Fukki. One of the peddlers Raba son of Mohan Lal resident of Jalander, Punjab was apprehended while his accomplice Surjeet Kumar son of Jodh Raj resident of Jalander managed to flee from the spot. Police also recovered cash worth Rs 4, 93,000 from the seized car in presence of the Magistrate. A case FIR number 190/2014 under section 15/18 NDPS Act was registered against the peddlers and investigation has been taken up. (KNS)
BMVSS camp to provide mobility aids to 1300 physically challenged in Kashmir Srinagar, Aug 27 : The world famous artificial limb makers Jaipur Foot under the auspices of the Jaipur based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) would hold a rehabilitation and artificial limb fitment camp to provide mobility and dignity to the disabled in Srinagar from August 28. This camp is being organised with the generous support from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund(PMNRF) on the basis of the recommendation of Ministry Of Home Affairs and Kashmir government. The camp would provide mobility aids to 1300 physically challenged persons from Kashmir and the camp will be organised at Sultan-Ul-Arifeen Artificial Limb Caliper Fitment Centre, Old Gagribal Road, Buchwara, Dal Gate, Srinagar. According to the founder of BMVSS D. R. Mehta, who is also a former chairman of the SEBI, during the camp the disabled would be provided with artificial limbs ( Jaipur Foot) and other aids and appliances such as calipers,wheel chairs,tricycles etc. Mehta said the camp would certainly make a highly positive impact on the people in the state and in dispelling the feeling of alienation in some sections of the populations there. A team of 12 experts and artisans led by Virendra Raj Mehta,
Mudasir Nabi Bhat, Muzamil Shaban Bhat, Mukhtiyar Nazir Hajam, Imtiyaz Gafar Dar, Bashir Rehman Ganaie, Ashiq Khaliq Sofi, Bhaktiyar Abdullah Paul and Muhammad Suhail Bhat. When contacted a top police official told CNS that all these arrested youth resorted to massive stone-pelting soon after the militant attack in the area. “These youth damaged security vehicles which had gone there to assess the situation after the militant attack,” he said adding that all the arrested youth are ‘notorious’ stone-pelters. The police official further added that the arrested youth have been booked under vide FIR number 205/2014 under section 307 RPC. (CNS)
Executive President of the BMVSS Centre at Delhi will hold the camp i with the active support of the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir. Virendra Raj Mehta, who is a former Consultant of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines and is also a Trustee of the Dorab Tata Trust has rich experience in holding such camp. he was instrumental in setting up a Jaipur Foot Centre at Manila with his wife Vimla Mehta when he was stationed in Manila. .The Philippines s Senate (Parliament) honoured Mehtas by presenting him the key to Manila for the yeoman service he did for the disabled in the Philippines.Virendra Raj Mehta said that the BMVSS has organised three camps at Srinagar, Baramulla and Kupwara in 2012 including a camp with the help of the Indian Army along the Line of Control (LOC) thus benefiting 800 persons." It has been noted during our camps that the demand for the Jaipur Foot and wheel chairs and tricycles is very high in the Valley and the needy are generally poor people who are unable to afford these aids and appliances. The position is particularly acute in the area along the LOC due to frequent shelling in districts bordering the LOC and for accidents and congenital reasons" said V R Mehta. (KNS)
Won’t allow JK’S another divide: Khalida Shah
Said BJP declaring itself winner ahead of polls fishy Srinagar, Aug 26 (KNS): Pres-
ident Awami National Conference (ANC) Begum Khalida Shah on Wednesday said that attempts are being made to divide Jammu and Kashmir and the same shall be opposed and dismissed by the people of the state with the scorn it merits. According to the KNS correspondent, Ms Shah while speaking to people at various areas of North Kashmir said that once again some elements are hell bent upon diving the state once and this time on communal grounds and those such attempts will be strongly opposed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The ANC president while taking a dig at BJP president Amit Shah said that there has never been the BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir and that the announcements made by Amit Shah in Jammu that BJP will rule the power corridors in the state are condemnable. “Amit Shah even ahead of conduction of assembly elections has declared his party the winner of polls. This seems skeptic and has given rise to several apprehensions among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” She asked how is this possible that any party declares itself a winner ahead of elections. The history bears witness to the fact that he people of Jammu and Kashmir have never accepted any regime that was imposed upon them by force and against their will.KNS
Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Bashir Malik Editor: Shahana Malik Legal Advisor: Syed Riyaz Hussain 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. 9419001492, 9797082675
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Expect PM to exclude ministers facing criminal charges: SC
The Supreme Court said on federal governments. “This is what the ConstituWednesday that lawmakers Watch: SC dismisses peti- tion suggests and that is the facing criminal charges should tion on appointment of tainted constitutional expectation not be made ministers, but ministers, says its call of ‘fram- from the Prime Minister. Rest put the moral onus of pushing ers of Constitution’ has to be left to the wisdom of tainted politicians out of govUpholding the right of the the Prime Minister. We say ernment on the prime minister prime minister and chief min- nothing more, nothing less,” and chief ministers. isters to select their councils of the bench said. On the face of it, the court’s ministers, a five-judge constituRead: 12 Team Modi memrefusal to order the disquali- tional bench headed by Chief bers face criminal cases, Uma fication of tainted ministers Justice of India RM Lodha said Bharti tops the list signals a breather for at least it was leaving the question of Opposition parties used the 12 central ministers who face whether to induct tainted poli- judgement to take a swipe at serious criminal charges, in- ticians as ministers to the wis- the BJP-led government, with cluding kidnapping and mur- dom of the prime minister and the Congress saying the court der. But it also means pressure chief minsters, who it said were order was an indirect advice to on Prime Minister Narendra repositories of constitutional Modi to drop those with crimiModi to act to be seen as up- trust. nal background from his govholding corruption-and crime“It can always be legitimate- ernment. free governance, a key pledge ly expected … the Prime Minis“Before becoming the prime in his high-decibel Lok Sabha ter, while living up to the trust minister of the country and the campaign. reposed in him, would consider elections, he must have said The unanimous court ver- not choosing a person with that my cabinet will be clean dict came on a 2005 petition criminal antecedents against and we are going to fight corLone “crimNews Agency Kangan Khan ruption,” News AgencyCongress Ganderbal leader seeking to bar MPs with whom charges have been News Agency ZahidRashid Book Depot Chadoora inal backgrounds”,Gulzar including framedSoura for heinous or serious Alvi said. those charged but not yetNews con-Agency criminal offences or chargesBashir of “It Agency is the responsibility of Tariq Hawal News Nowhatta victed of crimes, from being apcorruption becomeBazar a Ministhe News primeAgency minister drop all Muzaffar Ali News Agencyto Alamgari Budshah LaltoChowk pointed ministers in state and of the Lal Council of Ministers. of them take action.” Abdullah Newster Agency Chowk Sikendar Newsand Agency Lal Chowk
Zabarwan Times is available at
The court said a prime minster is expected to uphold the values of democracy and established norms of good governance. It refused to add disqualification in Article 75 (1) and Article 164 (1) which deal with the appointment of the prime minister and chief ministers and their councils of ministers respectively. Nudging the heads of executive to clean up politics, the court said it expected the heads of central and state governments to act in the interest of the nation. “(The prime minister) has to bear in mind that unwarranted elements or persons who are facing charge in certain category of offences may thwart or hinder the canons of constitutional morality or principles of good governance and eventually diminish the constitutional trust,” it said. At least 12 of Modi’s 45 ministers have been charged with
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 Arif Ejaz Majeed, one of the four Basharat News Agency Bandipora Reyaz News Agency Pampore The Prime Minister’s Office on Wednes- ing in a section of the media over the past youths from Kalyan suspected to have Altaf News Agency Pulwama Javaid News Agency Qazigund day rubbished media reports about “al- several weeks, mentioning the Prime Min- joined the Islamic State of Iraq and SyrAgency G.M Agency Sopore leged misconduct” ofJeelani HomeNews Minister Ra- Baramulla ister, and referring to theNews conduct of some ia (ISIS), was killed in Iraq on Tuesday. Union Ministers, andAgency allegedHandwara Shah News Agency Kupwara Sultan News The deceased, a third-year civil misconduct of the Home MinYounis News Agency Langate Sheikh News Agency Islamabad engineering student in his early twenister’s son,” the PMO said in a Reshi News Agency Islamabad Tralwas reportedly killed in a blast, statement.Three Way News Agencyties, claimed his kin. Turray News Agency Tral Badru News Agency “The reports are plain lies,Bijbehara motivated and constitute a maliRahi News Agency Kulgam Malik News Agency ArwaniMajeed’s companion Shaheen Tanki called up his parents and asked cious attempt at character assas- Kargil Rah News Agency Byepass Shaheen News Agency them to inform Majeed’s family about
PMO rubbishes reports about Rajnath’s son as ‘plain lies’
jnath Singh’s son Pankaj Singh, dubbing these as “plain lies, motivated and malicious attempt” to tarnish the image of the government. “This has reference to reports appear-
sination and tarnishing the image of the Government,” it said. The statement came in the wake of a media report that Rajnath Singh was unhappy over rumours being spread by “a ministerial colleague” and “party rival” about his son being pulled up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over some alleged misconduct. “Those indulging in such rumour-mongering are damaging the interest of the nation. These reports are strongly denied,” the PMO said.
Feroz Calls on Union IT Minister, pleads for boosting IT sector in JK Participates in “Digital India” Conference NEW DELHI, AUGUST 27: The Minister of State for Science Technology and Information Technology Mr. Feroz Ahmad Khan called on the Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad here today and strongly pleaded for boosting the Science and Information Technology sector in the State. The Union Minister assured Mr. Khan that centre will provide all assistance to the State government for upgrading the standard of Information Technology and Science and Technology in the State.Meanwhile, Mr. Khan also attended the “Digital India” Conference organized by the Union Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and Electronics Department in which the Information Technology Ministers of the States and Union Territories (UT) were invited.In a bid to give flip to the e-governance initiatives, the Conference provided much needed thrust to Broadband Highway (BH), Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity (UAMC), Public Internet Access Programme (PIAP), e-governance, Reforming Government through Technology, e-Kranti, Electronic Delivery of Services, Information for All, Electronics Manufacturing.
Student from Kalyan who fought for IS killed in Iraq
the death. “He has sacrificed his life. He is a martyr now,” Tanki is believed to have told his parents over the phone call. Soon, the news about Majeed’s death spread across the neighbourhood of Sarvoday Park, Kalyan (west), where Majeed’s parents continue to stay. Majeed, who recently graduated from Panvel based Kalsekar College, went missing from the city along with three others. The police are yet to confirm whether Majeed and his friends had joined the ISIS, although the Na-
tional Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad are investigating the matter. As the news reached Majeed’s friends and family, relatives flocked his house to pay their condolences. Following the afternoon prayers on Wednesday, the family also organised a funeral prayer which was attended by over 250 people. The family is shocked by the incident and declined to speak when HT approached them. “No one knows how he was killed, ISIS has declared him a martyr,” said a family member. Top senior officials of the Maharashtra police, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that they are not in a position to authenticate the reports. The other there youths who are missing from May 24 are Fahad Sheikh, a mechanical engineering graduate, Aman Naeem Tandel, a third-year mechanical engineering student and Shaheen Tanki, an HSC drop out.
Lalu underwent over six-hour-long heart surgery Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Wednesday underwent an over six-hour-long cardiac surgery at a hospital in Mumbai.According to the hospital statement, during the surgery, which lasted for six hours and 15 minutes, he underwent AVR- aortic valve replacement, aortic repair and repair of a 3 mm hole in the heart.The former Bihar Chief Minister has been diagnosed with ‘aortic stenosis’, and was admitted to the Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai on Monday.Institute head Dr Ramakanta Panda, who had operated on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh five years ago, said the decision to perform the surgery followed a series of medical tests and evaluation.
BJP veterans are not being sidelined: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday rejected suggestions that the BJP has sidelined its founder leaders Atal Bijari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi by dropping them from the Parliamentary Board and said they are “guides and philosophers” for the party. “This question does not arise. They — party founders Atal Behari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi — are guides and philosophers of ours,” Mr. Chouhan, here to woo investors for the Global Investors Meet to be held in Madhya Pradesh in October, told reporters. Marking a radical generational shift, BJP had on Tuesday dropped
criminal offences, including eight facing serious charges, according to the Delhi-based Association of Democratic Reforms, a clean government advocacy group. Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti has 13 cases pending, including two charges related to attempted murder and six charges related to rioting. Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has four cases, including one charge of criminal intimidation. MPs say the charges against them are false or trumped up by political opponents seeking to harm their reputations. MPs convicted of crimes have customarily continued to hold office simply by filing an appeal in courts. But in a landmark judgement last July, the Supreme Court ruled that MPs sentenced to more than three years in jail should be disqualified regardless of any appeal.
Mr. Vajpayee, Mr. Advani and Dr. Joshi from the BJP Parliamentary
Board, the highest decision-making body headed by the party president Amit Shah. In a token gesture, however, BJP
included their names in the five member “Margdarshak Mandal” (Guiding Group). “The veteran leaders who spent their entire lives in building the party will continue to be our guides and philosophers. It is because of them lakhs of party workers have come up in life. Even in future, the government and the Sanghathan, will seek guidance from them,” Mr. Chouhan added. Asked to comment on a Supreme Court’s suggestion that the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers should desist from inducting corrupt ministers into the cabinet, Mr. Chouhan said, “From the very beginning our stand on it has been clear. To include such people facing criminal and corrupt charges into the cabinet is not good.”
28. 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
Mir addresses public meeting at Kungamdara Says equitable, pro-people development carried across the State KUNGAMDARA, AUGUST 27: Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir today said that government has ensured equitable development of all the three regions of the state during last six years adding that marvelous achievements registered during the period is visible at the grass-root level. The Minister was addressing a large public meeting at Kungamdara in Tangmarg Tehsil today. The Minister said that to provide transparent and accountable governance to the people of State, landmark achievements including holding of Panchayat elections, setting up of new administrative units, legislations like Right to Information Act (RTI), Public Services Guarantee Act etc goes to the credit of the present government. Mr. Mir said, Government ensured better basic facilities to the people, especially in rural and far-flung areas. He said drinking water, road connectivity, education, Health and electricity remained focus areas of the government and special attention was paid to these sectors during the past six years. He said the infrastructure in these sectors has been upgraded substantially to overcome the difficulties of the people. The Minister said that the people are best judges to check and verify the overall development scenario of the State on ground. He said Government has launched scores of people friendly schemes which will benefit the people in the long run.
Friends seeking advice or a shoulder to cry on could be plentiful today, Sagittarius. You’re one of best people to give them the support and care they need. Just be sure that you don’t give so much to others that you don’t have anything left for yourself. True friendship is about sharing and the exchange of problems and help. Running yourself down will leave you in a place where you aren’t going to be much help to anyone.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Getting through today shouldn’t pose too big a problem for you, Capricorn. You may feel a huge second wind that can give you the drive and determination to see your chores and projects through. Make some plans for this evening, such as getting together with friends or taking in an event that really intrigues you. Until then, go about your tasks bit by bit. You’ll get things finished before you know it.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Working within boundaries and restrictions could really get to you today, Aquarius. Yours is an independent spirit and your best achievements are often born of doing things your own way. Yet like it or not, we all have to follow guidelines and rules. Do your best to follow suit and finish what needs to be done. Afterward, you may find more freedom to act independently without consequences. Exercise patience and diligence as needed today.
Pisces
February 19-March 20 Chances are that you’ll feel upbeat and positive today, Pisces. Consider sharing this energy with those around you who are feeling less than content. Your attitude can have a profound effect on friends, partners, spouses, and children. Even neighbors and extended family can pick up on your spirit without you even realizing it. Share your optimism with everyone you can today. If you see someone hurt or angry.
EDITORIAL// OPINION OPINION Quote of the day Public LibrariesFaith is not the belief that God will Store do what youHome want. It is theof belief that God will do what is right.” knowledge ― Max Lucado
P
ublic libraries are store home of knowledge as Are Jammu & Ladakh really books are the best source of enlightment and are being discriminated? genuine friends of huhenthe we talk of uniman beings. Before advent of ty in diversity, we television services in the countake the over try people would either listen toall view of what are radio not only for entertainment bonds which but for seeking the information and knowledge various issues. The keep us on culturally, geographmotto of All India Radio was enterically and politically together tainment and are information. People and what our long cherwould tune to Radio with great enished traditions, ethos, historithusiasm and radio news and specal richness and heritage which cial programmes would runaudience in our veins and keep us in charm listeners like anything. The oneness and togetherness. This community radio listening at one is true country as well time was for verythe popular and listenas states whichin are parts of this ers clubs would turn advised great nation. But some programme planner withtimes their it is noticed that dissenting latest ideas about improvementvoicin es from different areas and rethe programmes. Other than ragions surface . On the contrary dio people in general would read books gaining knowledge and thesefor voices further strengthen fictions for entertainment. One the basic concept of democratic would come many vendors system of across governance. In J&K, on the roads where reader would we have three regions namely get books and magazines by deJammu, Kashmir and Ladapositing money rekh andnominal this state hasand always turn the books or magazines after been a symbol of unity, secureading them. There was a chain religiousintolerance and oflarism, public libraries the country has worked without any bias where rare books were available. or discrimination towards any Readers would sit in the libraries community, or for that and go throughregion these rare refermatter religion. But of late, the ence books. Public libraries were voices of for dissent airing grievvery useful the aspirants preparing examinaances for of competitive discrimination with tions. Withand theLadakh advent of televiJammu have cresion and computers the visit ated a vicious atmosphere toall public outthis of over libraries which ishas notbecome good for fashion, but in our state people do state in any way. It is to be seen need publicthese libraries though the whether grievances are infrastructural facilities available having some substance or they before 1990 are now in shambles. havetwo political, or comThe decadesregional of uncertainbehind them. tymunal made overtures these libraries suffer a If we talk of developmental side, lot, as books and buildings were Jammuand and far more torched theLeh staffare abandoned developed than Srinagar which these libraries. The government has figured in the topwith of the list machinery pre-occupied otherofprioritized issues of didthe not counpay dirtiest cities any libraries. At try.attention Almostto allthese the departments present these libraries are in awful have been divided and separate condition, with have no books around, directorates been estabno news paper or magazine availlished in Jammu baring Secable and the staff too missing. The retariat which functions students appearing for competievenly in Jammu and Srinagar. tive examinations do not get the In govt.and services, Jammu and required latest books, newsLadakh are far ahead and as far papers, magazines or information. as the grievance of less repreThe Information Centre, run by sentation isofconcerned, seems Government India in theitheart motivated. Not only Jamofonly the Srinagar city too is closed for mulast and every the so Ladakh, many years. Thisregion centre upon aistime used to be a of once the state receiving equal hub for readers get attention andand if students we seetomedilatest information. Now there is a cal and educational facilities, need that this important facility isinindustrialization, tourism revived and revamped in conforfra-structure, basic amenities mity with and modern requirements. in rural urban areas, both The library information ought to Jammu and Ladakh should not be computerized so that people have complaint. There are can get any information on line as well. figures available on net again which The reading habits should clearly show that no discrimbe promoted by instituting public ination, These what so everlibraries may be, libraries. public is being shown toward these should be consolidated and updatregions it facilities. is only political ed with theand latest A new concept should beconspiracies infused so that and communal betreasure of knowledge is saved. ing hatched to divide the state
W
Daily Daily
Zabarwan Times Zabarwan Zabarwan Times Times
Srinagar, Thursday April 2014 Srinagar, 1110 February 2014 Srinagar,Tuesday Thurssday 28 August 2014
APEDA: Helping Farmers to Look Outwards
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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
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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.
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