C M Y K
WEDNESDAY
29 January | 2014 | 27 Rabi-Al-Awwal 1435 AH | PAGES 12 |
http://www.zabarwantimes.com
Pen
For
VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 29 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)
Jus
tice
Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K
AIP protests closure of Pathribal case See More On Page 11
Ajmal to continue playing
See More On Page 07
C M Y K
See More On Page 06
‘Gunday’ dialogue promos comes out
Green tea reduces effects of BP drugs See More On Page 06
Police arrests three smugglers Handwara, Jan 28: Continuing its drive against seed smugglers, police arrested three persons and recovered 27 bags of Deodar seeds from them in North Kashmir’s Handwara town. Giving details, Superintendent of police Handwara, Maqsood-ulZaman told CNS that Handwara police after a tip off laid a naka near Shanoo Langete and recovered deodar seeds worth lakhs of rupees from the three smugglers who were smuggling it in a Tata Mobile vehicle (JK05A-4407). SP Handwara identified the three smugglers as Mushtaq Shiek son of Ghulam Muhammad, Mohsin Lone son of Ghulam Hasan residents of Devar Lolab and See Police On Page 11..
Saffron cultivation: Different schemes introduced in Budgam Srinagar, Jan 28, CNS: Agriculture Department has introduced various schemes to boost up saffron production in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Chief Agriculture Officer Budgam, Mushtaq Ahmed Parrey told CNS that Kashmiri Saffron isfamous for its fine quality around the world, is set to register an increase of 10 per cent in the yield next year due to the introduction of various schemes. He said that at least 45 villages of Chadoora have brought under such schemes while See Saffron On Page 11..
Srinagar, Jan 28: Congress high command has asked its state unit in Jammu and Kashmir to fully cooperate with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah especially on the issue of creation of new administrative units which has of late become a bone of contention between the two coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir. Relations between National Conference and Congress have got strained due to a political stalemate over creation of new administrative units across the state. The simmering tension between the two coalition partners, sources said, threat-
ens to undermine the electoral interests of the two parties in forthcoming parliament elections--likely to take place in mid April. Informed sources, however, told KNS that Congress president Sonia Gandhi has asked Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee leadership to extend full cooperation to its coalition partner in the state. Sources said that after the chief minister Omar Abdullah and Congress senior leaders Ambika Soni, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Prof Soz Monday’s meeting in New Delhi failed to reach any consensus over the creation of
‘Facilitating commission of the crime by Gulzar Bhat’
Court rejects bail applications of his 4 women followers
Budgam, Jan 28: Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Budgam, Syed Tawqeer Ahmed has rejected the bail application of four ardent women followers of ‘fake faith healer’ of Khansahb Budgam Gulzar Ahmed Bhat. In a case titled, ‘State and Gulzar Ahmed Bhat and others’ the counsel for the applicant (four women followers of fake faith healer Gulzar Bhat) Mushtaq Ahmed Dar while seeking bail for her accused clients submitted that one of her client from Nambla Uri was allegedly raped by police officers after her arrest.
The Counsel for the applicant stated that the reason for the arrest of the woman followers of Gulzar Bhat was that they were protesting against the arrest of her ‘Pir’ in Srinagar. “one woman follower was taken to Police station Khansahab wherefrom she was taken in a police vehicle to some unknown destination and Dy SP and SHO raped her,” the Council for the applicant told Court adding that the victims are innocent and deserves bail. These women applicants stated before the Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Budgam, Syed Tawqeer Ahmed that they have been arrested without any rhyme and reason and have been implicated in a false and frivolous case. “The police registered a case against See Gulzar On Page 11..
new administrative units in the state, Ms Gandhi has asked senior Congress leader and union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and PCC chief Prof Saif-u-Din Soz and to hold a preliminary meeting with state Congress ministers. These state Congress ministers who have been called to participate in the preliminary meeting include deputy chief minister Tara Chand, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Sham Lal Sharma. Ghulam Hassan Mir has also been called to See Sonia On Page 11..
NC will compile, submit report if Congress does not cooperate: Saifullah Srinagar, Jan 28: Senior National Conference (NC) leader and minster for law and parliamentary affairs, Mir Saifullah Tuesday stated that if Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC) fails to submit its report on creation of new administrative units in the state till January 31, NC will be compelled to compile and submit the same before the chief minister.“We cannot compromise over the issue and if the same gets delayed further,
‘No place for NC in Ganderbal’ NC will face humiliating defeat in coming Assembly Elections: Saloora Ganderbal, Jan 28: Holding party leadership responsible for damaging the credibility of National Conference amoung common masses, a long-time National Conference loyalist Sheikh Ghulam Ahmad Saloora who recently quit the party after 38 years Tuesday alleged that National Conference Government has put his life in danger by withdrawing some securitymen from his
residence. “As a pressure tactic, National Conference government wants to deprive me from security cover but I will not budge and will contest Assembly Elections as independent candidate. The footprints of NC are already diminishing in Ganderbal and in whole State the party due to its appalling policies See Saloora On Page 11..
we will have to assert ourselves,” Saifullah told KNS, adding that the decision taken by chief minister Omar Abdullah over the creation of new administrative units in the state is irrevocable. The law minster stated further that if the CSC fails to submit its detailed report over the new administrative units, the three NC ministers in CSC will themselves compile See Saifullah On Page 11..
Spinal surgery performed at JLNM Hospital Srinagar, Jan 28: In a first of its kind a landmark spinal surgery was performed outside Tertiary Hospital in Kashmir at Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital (JLNM), Rainawari. According to a statement issued by directorate of health services Kashmir, See JLNM On Page 11..
Spectator hurls Kangri over Irfan Khan
‘J&K Agriculture, horticulture craves for attention’ Srinagar, Jan 28 (KNS): Taking a strong exception to the unwarranted delay in introduction and implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) in the state, CPI (M) State Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has said the scheme will save the fruit growers/agriculturists in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities. After meeting a delegation of horticulturists and agriculturists at his residence, Tarigami in a statement issued here to-
See More On Pg 11
On Edit Page Remove bottlenecks – start afresh The continuous disruption in the cross LOC trade through Srinagar – Muzaffarbad road and the suspension of Carvaan Aman Bus service is not a good omen for the year 2014 as far as the relations of India and Pakistan are concerned. The world community must be august over what happened when drugs worth crores of rupees were seized from a truck coming from Pak occupied Kashmir and the subsequent negative impacts caused on the mutual relations by this unpleasant act. On one side the whole world was expecting 2014 to become a landmark year in Indo-Pak relations after the line
See More On Pg 09
Srinagar, Jan 28: The shooting for ‘Haider’, a movie directed by Vishal Bharadwaj stopped for a while in the heart of Old City after a youth threw a fire pot (Kangri) on Bollywood Actor Irfan Khan. Police controlled the crowd and shooting for a sequence of the movie went on smoothly. Reports said that Bollywood crew including actor Shahid Kapoor and Irfan Khan appeared at Aishan Sahab Zaina Kadal area of Old city in Srinagar on Tuesday. One of the crew members told CNS that it was a kidnapping sequence for which they used a white colour Maruti. “It was nice to see such a cheerful crowd there seeking autographs from actors,” he said adding that Kashmir See Haider On Page 11..
Malik visits affected Kokerbazar fire victims Distributes Rs 1, 34000 among affected Srinagar, Jan 28: “Our brothers and sisters at Koker bazar Srinagar are today facing a calamity and have been tarnished by a devastating fire. These families are today compelled to live under open sky and are in dire need of help and support in this hour of need,” this was stated by the chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik while talking to the affected families at Kokerbazar today.According to a statement issued to KNS, a devastating fire ruined many houses and literary brought half a dozen families last night. “Soon after learning about the worst condition of these affected families, Yasin Malik met many wealthy and rich friends See Malik On Page 11..
Govt committed for welfare of youth: Tanvir
Srinagar, Jan 28: Political Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Tanveer Sadiq Tuesday said that youth of the State have great potential and there is dire need to explore their talent by way of providing them self employment opportunities through various schemes, launched by the Government from time to time. Sadiq was interacting with a group of youth belonging to different parts of the Valley, at Private Office See Tanvir On Page 11..
Roads still engulfed with Snow in Kangan
WEATHER
Despite clearing Snow, Snow clearing labours complaint of not getting wages
FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS:
Mainly dry and cold weather over the State.
FORECAST OF SRINAGAR:
Partly cloudy sky. Maximum &Minimum temperatures will be around 08°C & -02°C respectively.
TEMPERATURE SUNSET ON(FRIDAY) SUNRISE ON (SATURDAY)
We want all three regions on board for new administrative units: Soz Congress leaders visit Delhi to meet high command
Creation of New Administrative Units
‘Haider’ in news again
Inside story
MAXIMUM MINIMUM
Extend full cooperation to Omar: Sonia directs PCC
5.1 0C 0.3 0C 05:59PM 07:31 AM
N.A.Lone Ganderbal/28 Jan: The inner and link roads of many villages in district Ganderbal are still under snow which adds to the miseries of common people. Due to the recent snowfall the masses are facing acute problems in various areas of the district. Many roads recorded zero vehicular movement from last few days as snow was not cleared from the roads. “The last three kilo meters of Anderwan Arahama village of Tehsil Kangan were not cleared by the concerned authories”, said the locals. Pertinently there are 400-
500 households in this area and hence a large population is suffering at the vested itrests of the cocerned authorities. The laborers of this locality were also duped by the Sarpanch and a contractor who put them to work for clearing the snow from the roads of their locality. M Sidiq a resident of Anderwan told that they were motivated to work for Rs 300 a day but latter on the Sarpanch M Aslam and a contractor paid them Rs200 per labour which they refused to take. He added that one hundred labours were utiliesd to carry See Kangan On Page 11..
C M Y K
11
Srinagar, Wednesday 29 January 2014
Sonia participate in the meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place this evening. While Tara Chand who heads the Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC) on creation of new administrative units was already camped in Delhi, Jora, GA Mir, Sharma and GH Mir flew to the national capital on Tuesday morning, sources added. Meanwhile, talking to KNS, Prof Soz confirmed about the Congress high command’s directions for a preliminary meeting. “We do not want to take any decision on creation of new administrative units in haste. Keeping the sensitivity and the huge demands of the people into consideration, Congress in the state wants to take all the three regions on board before the Cabinet approves the CSC report,” Soz told KNS. He however, refuted the reports about any discord between the two coalition partners saying that the present coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir will continue till its last day. “Differences can be there on the matters of principles but we (Congress) believes in an amicable settlement of issues. We will have to go for a thorough analysis of demands put forth by people in all the three regions of the state. It cannot be done superficially,” he added. Meanwhile, before leaving for Delhi, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, the minister for tourism told KNS that Congress is not averse to the creation of new administrative units but the party wants to take the left out areas on board before the cabinet approves the CSC report. “The NC is desirous to go for creation of new units in haste because the party has made a series of announcements in different areas without bothering for its financial implications,” Mir said, adding that National Conference wants to take credit for the creation of new administrative units keeping in view the electoral gains in the forthcoming elections. “There is a misconception that Congress does not want creation of new administrative units but we simply want to go through it after a proper analysis of demands especially coming from the left out areas of the state,” the minster for tourism claimed. He alleged that the issue has become a point of prestige for the National Conference and that is why the party (NC) want to the CSC report be submitted before the cabinet immediately. “The law minister Mir Saifullah’s assertion that if CSC fails to submit a report before the next cabinet meeting, the NC ministers in the committee will compile the report on their own and submit before the cabinet speaks volumes about their haste,” Mir alleged. The Congress minister advised its coalition partner to understand the ‘sensitivities’ involved in the matter and refrain from what he called a ‘double speak’ adopted by the party (NC). (KNS)
Saifullah the report and will submit the same to the chief minister. “The party (NC) has already made it clear that it will not change its mind over the creation of administrative units as the issue is of utmost priority for the party leadership,” he said. The law minster claimed further that the decision taken by the NC leadership is in the larger interests of the people of the state and that it will not allow further delay into the matter. Pertinently, the Congress high command has asked its state leadership to provide support to Omar Abdullah over the issue and during the recent meet of state Congress chief Saif-ud-Din Soz, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Sonia Gandhi at Delhi, the issue was threadbare discussed. (KNS)
Gulzar Gulzar Bhat and wanted the applicants to be the witness in the case. Since, the applicants do not know anything about the case as the said Gulzar Bhat has not committed any offence with them or in their presence,” the applicants informed the court. Special Public Prosecutor Noor Muhammad Dar in his objections submitted that the accused persons have committed heinous offences unique in nature. He said that the act of the accused persons have hurt the sentiments and feelings of the public in general. He said that these accused persons have facilitated the commission of the crime by Gulzar Bhat. The special public prosecutor informed the Court that if the accused persons are released on bail it will adversely affect upon the merits of the case. He said that the accused women have facilitated Gulzar Bhat who raped innocent girl students at seminary. Drawing the attention of Court towards the judgment of the Apex Court in a case titled, “Shri Bodhisattwa Guttam Vs Miss Subhra Chakarborty the public prosecutor said that rape is not only a crime against the person of victim but it is the crime against the entire society. After listening the arguments from both sides, Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Budgam, Syed Tawqeer Ahmed while rejecting the bail for the applicants stated that, “keeping in mind overall scenario of the case, circumstances in which the offence is alleged to have been committed, role of these applicants, apprehensions of tampering with the remaining prosecution witnesses and the interest of society at large, the bail application at this stage being premature is accordingly rejected,” he said adding that any observation made in the application shall have no effect on the merits of the main challan. Pertinently, police had arrested Gulzar Bhat resident of Litter Chadoora in May last year on charges of raping four minor girls in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Bhat was arrested after police received a joint complaint from minor girls that they were repeatedly ‘sexually exploited’ during their stay at the institute run by him at Shamsabad Khansahab. (CNS)
Saloora will face a humiliating defeat in coming elections,” Saloora told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS adding that people of Ganderbal are cursing NC for deceiving them. Saloora said that he feels extremely sorry and has already apologized to the people of Ganderbal for the fake promises he had made to people on behalf of Omar Abdullah during 2008 Assembly Elections. “I vehemently canvassed for Omar Abdullah and today people are asking me why he (Omar Abdullah) befooled us and made fake promises. I wish Omar to contest from Ganderbal and surely he will taste a humiliating defeat,” he said adding that NC is on the brink of disaster. Castigating NC for ignoring Ganderbal, Saloora told CNS that party leadership is more concerned about power grabbing than to care for people. “There are some inexperienced and newly entrant politicians who are part of NC that have hijacked the party and these leaders instead of caring for people are busy in appeasing two top leaders of the party and they are filling their coffers,” he said adding that there is no place for NC in Ganderbal. Saloora claimed that different NC leaders approached him and motivated him to join the party again which he refused. “NC government has withdrawn some security personnel from my residence and I have apprehensions that soon I will be deprived from whole security staff despite the fact I fall in Y category. I have already written to Government of India and Governor Jammu and Kashmir that NC will be solely responsible if anything untoward happens to him,” he said. Responding to a query, Saloora said that Congress top brass approached him to join the party but deal did not materialize, as people of Ganderbal want him to contest elections as Independent Candidate. He further said that in coming years NC will disappear from political map of Jammu and Kashmir. (CNS)
JNLM Abdul Jabbar (name changed), a 75 year-old male from remote area of Kalaroose, Kupwara presented with weakness of both legs with decreased sensations below umbilicus was admitted to JLNM Hospital under UHID No. 20140014678. MRI of spine showed an extradural compression at D10 level with spinal cord compression. Patient was operated under GA in prone position. “D10 Laminectomy was done and an osteoma, (a bony tumour) compressing the spinal cord was removed. Drain and catheter was removed on the first post-operative day. Patient was mobi-
lized andhas shown significance improvement since then,” the statement reads. It added that the operative team was headed by Dr Mir Basharat Kanth on surgical side and Dr Arifa and Dr Muzaffar on anaesthesia side. Besides them the team includedtheatre staff namely Mr Habibullah, Mr G M Bhat and Mr Handoo. Director Health Services, Kashmir and MS JLNM Hospital has complimented the operative team for achieving this remarkable feat. (KNS)
Haider is a nice place and people are very affectionate. A shopkeeper of the locality who was also enjoying the shooting told CNS that everything was fine and people especially youth were enthusiastic after shaking hands with Shahid Kapoor. “The shooting was in progress and both the actors Shahid and Irfan were moving towards Maruti car when suddenly somebody from crowd threw a Kangri (firepot) which hit Irfan Khan and the ash whirling in air touched Shahid Kapoor as well,” he said adding that soon after the incident spectators started fleeing from the spot while few youth raised anti-India slogans. Another eyewitness told CNS that what happened during the shooting was unfortunate. “We were enjoying the shooting but don’t know who hurled the kangri. No one was injured and even the actors reciprocated with a smile over the childish act of some youth,” he said adding that the spectators were mainly students who did not attend tuition centres. Reports said that police had allowed spectators to watch the shooting without troubling or stopping them. “Soon after the incident, police vacated all the spectators and shooting continued smoothly afterwards,” one of the shopkeepers of Zaina Kadal area told CNS. When contacted, Superintendent of Police, City North, Tahir Saleem denied the reports that any Kangri was hurled during the incident. “There was huge crowd and the youth demanded autographs from the actors. When police tried to control the crowd, one of the youth slipped along with his Kangri which he was carrying,” he said adding that shooting went on smoothly. The movie, ‘Haider’, an adaptation of Shakespearean tragedy ‘Hamlet’, is set entirely in Kashmir. A long shooting schedule was held last year with the lead actor Shahid Kapoor and actress Shraddha Kapoor filming a major chunk of the movie. It is an adaptation of Shakespearean tragedy ‘Hamlet’, and is set entirely in Kashmir. (CNS)
Malik and appealed them to help these affected brethren.” The statement added that from early morning today Malik continued collecting relief and in the afternoon went to Kokerbazar and distributed a sum of Rs 1,34000 among the affected. On the occasion Malik while talking to the people said that it is an hour of grief and sorrow for all of us that our brothers and sisters lost every belonging at the hands of natural calamity. These people are today facing severe cold and bound to live under open skies. “As a human and Muslim we are duty bound to rush for supporting them and provide them whatever relief we can, added Yasin. He said that keeping this in mind we appealed to some of our rich brothers for help and they generously donated for the cause and enabled us today to reach to these affected brothers and sisters.” Malik said that we are the followers of a prophet (peace be upon him) who kept fast but provided food, clothes and other relief to the needy. We all shall keep our Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) teachings and deeds in mind and standup in support of our affected brothers and sisters in this hour of need. Malik has also thanked those who provided their support to these affected people and prayed to almighty for their welfare. (KNS)
Tanvir of Chief Minister. Sadiq said that Government is fully aware of the problems, confronting youth and several concrete measures are being taken to redress their grievances by the Government so that youth of the State can earn livelihood with honour and dignity. Appealing youth to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, amity and peace in the State, Mr. Sadiq said that youth can play a pivotal role in socio-economic development of the State. He assured the deputation that Government will leave no stone unturned in taking up more significant steps for assuring their bright future. (KNS)
Kangan out the task. The locals claimed that the wages are still pending as the duo is hand in glove with one another. “Though we repeatedly pleaded for our wages but both of them showed an indifferent behaviour”, said a labourer Molvi Riyaz. They latter on used a tractor for clearing the snow from this road but it did not proved a fruitful practice instead the road became more slippery, revealed a local shabir Ahmad adding that children and elderly people cannot dare to take risk of walking over this road.
Police Tariq Bhat son of Ghulam Muhammad resident of Helmatpora Kupwara. Police has registered a case vide FIR number 17/2014 under section 379 of RPC in this regard.
Saffron the department spent more than Rs 3 crore to increase the saffron production in the district. He appealed to saffron cultivators to make full use of modern irrigation schemes as well. (CNS)
AIP protests closure of Pathribal case Srinagar, Jan 28: Hundreds of Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) workers including, Er Rashid, Adv. Nazir Ah Malik, Zeeshan Pandth, Advocate Mujeebu Rehman, Dr. Bari Naik and Shiekh Mohammad Auyoob, held a forceful march from Radio Kashmir to historic Lalchowk against the decision of army to close down the infamous Pathribal Fake encounter case and acquitting its personnel accused of these killings.According to a statement issued to KNS, the participants of rally raised forceful and emotive slogan, “Har Gaon, Har Shahr Pathribal, Pathribal” (every Hamlet, every urban centre in Kashmir is Pathribal, Pathribal kay qatilo ko Phansi dho Phansi dho (Hang the killers of Pathribal). In his speech, Er Rashid termed the Pathribal closure without result oriented process as ‘murder of justice’ and stated that Kashmiris will feel contended when the killers of innocents of thousands of Kashmiris including those involved in killings in Pathribal would face gallows . “Kashmir is facing worst form of state terrorism” lamented Er
Rashid. He further said. “How is it possible that Army would have closed the file without the consent of Defense Minister and even if it is believed to be true that Army did this act on its own, and then the issue is more serious as it amounts to taking for granted the institution of Defense Minister by the Armed Forces? Unless the draconian AFSPA is not withdrawn and Kashmir issue is resolved Army and other agencies will continue to play with the blood of innocent Kashmiris Army needs to answer a very serious and fundamental question that if its preliminary investigation is believed to be true then why should it not file a case against CBI for defaming the image of the Army.”The Party Spokesman condemned the police action of not allowing the peaceful protesters to hoist the black flag at Lal Chowk as a mark of anger against shameful act. Er Rashid along with party senior leaders and activists including, Zeeshan Pandith and Dr Nawab Nasir was arrested and lodged in Police station Kothibagh.
‘J&K Agriculture, horticulture craves for attention’ Why delay in introduction of CIS: Tarigami asks Govt to issue white paper
Srinagar, Jan 28: Taking a strong exception to the unwarranted delay in introduction and implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) in the state, CPI (M) State Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has said the scheme will save the fruit growers/agriculturists in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities. After meeting a delegation of horticulturists and agriculturists at his residence, Tarigami in a statement issued here today, urged the government to come out with a white paper including details on the status of assessing the losses of fruit growers/farmers and compensation paid to them on account of losses they suffered due to torrential rains and hail storm
during the recent kharief season. The CPI (M) leader said that not only the calamity affected crops but the CIS would have covered the crops rotten due to various diseases by virtue of which the farmers in the state experience extensive financial damages every year. He said that he will raise the issue in coming assembly session representing all the concerns shown by the farmers, horticulturists and agriculturists. Tarigami asked the government that it should also come up with details on steps taken to waive off the interest on the agricultural/ horticultural loans in view of the damages caused to these sectors due to heavy rains and hail storm. “The government should explain the rea-
Shabir inaugurates PHC building at Birthpora SHOPIAN, JANUARY 28: Minister of State for Health, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Khan today inaugurated newly constructed Primary Health Centre(PHC) building at Birthpora, Shopian. Completed at a cost of Rs. 1.67 crore, the PHC with 10 bed capacity have outdoor and indoor sections, besides X-ray, dental, laboratory and operation theater facilities. Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Minister said that providing upgraded healthcare facilities to the people of the State was priority of the government adding that during last 5 years number of hospital buildings have been constructed in the State with an objective to strengthen health delivery infrastructure equipped with modern diagnostic facilities in Urban as well as rural areas. The Minister said that in order to upgrade the health infrastructure in Shopian District, the construction work on 6 hospital buildings including District Hospital complex, Shopian, SDH Zainpora, PHcs Vehil, D K Pora, Sedow and Hernam at the total estimated cost of Rs 50 crore is apace adding that so far about Rs 20 crore have been utilized on these projects. He said that these hospital complexes would be completed in all respects during coming fiscal. The Minister said that more health centers would be established in uncovered areas of the district adding that in this regard, the Centre has already sanctioned 676 new sub-health centeres to the State. The Minister said that coming up of modern health facilities at the district,
sons of insensitivity displayed in delaying the construction of cold stores at district headquarters in the fruit growing areas for preservation of different kinds of fruit, especially apple, which rots in the absence of cold store facilities, inflicting huge losses to the growers, Tarigami asked adding that the present dispensation must also brief the farmers about the steps taken to bring under walnut cultivation the estimated 0.50 lakh hectares of hilly tracts, located in backward areas of the state. He demanded that the government should provide details about steps taken to impose ban on the import and sale of sub-standard chemical fertilizers and pesticides; the use of which has proved very harmful to the fruit and crops. (KNS)
15 day skiing training camp concludes at Gulmarg; Mir distributes certificates among trainees
‘Work apace on 6 hospital complexes in Shopian’
sub district and block levels would not only expand the orbit of health coverage for people but reduce the pressure on the hospitals in the cities. The Minister asked the Health Department to ensure better facilities to the patients in government hospitals and utilize modern equipments provided to the health institutions to extend modern treatment to the patients. He said government has been keen to make post adequate number of specialists, doctors and para-medics in government health institutions so that better service delivery is ensured. The Minister said that under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karikram (JSSK), the Government has extended more incentives for the pregnant women to facilitate safe institutional deliveries. “Henceforth every pregnant woman right from the day first of her conceiving the baby and till the delivery, the Government will bear all expenses on her treatment, including transportation from her home to hospital and back besides medication. The Minister said that a new scheme RBSK is being launched in all districts under which the ailing children of the age group of 0-18 years would get free treatment in health institutions. He said in order to further augment the rural health services 676 new health sub- centers would be opened soon in the uncovered areas of the State. The Minister appealed the people to cooperate with the Government in its efforts to bring a developmental turnaround in the State.
Srinagar, January 2: The 15 day skiing training course organized by Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation at Gulmarg concluded today. During the camp over 50 students of various educational institutions of the state were imparted skiing trainings by world fame skiers. Minister for Tourism, Mr Ghulam Ahmad Mir was the chief guest at the concluding function. He distributed the certificates among the participant trainees and hailed the initiative of Cable Car Corporation for providing a platform to the youth of the State for getting trainings in the famous adventure sports. He said such trainings would prove beneficial to the youth interested to make name in this high profile sports. He said that Kashmir is the best tourism destination for all seasons and Gulmarg has all the facilities of global winter sport destinations and events like skiing, heli-skiing etc besides other winter sports activities being held there are giving further boost to local economy. The Minister said that Gondola and chairlifts are essential components of winter sports in Gulmarg. “Without these facilities nothing will work out” he said and added that state government is keen to create more facilities to attract high end tourists. He underscored the need for organizing more such camps in future and directed concerned authorities to take due care of the visiting tourists. District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mr. Talat Parvez, Managing Director Cable Car Corporation, Mr. Tafail Matto besides other senior officers of concerned Departments was present on the occasion.
2nd day of Pre-Budget consultations at Jammu Rather for cordial, friendly relations with trade, industry JAMMU, JANUARY 28- Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, on the 2nd consecutive day today held threadbare pre-budget consultations with cross section of people from different walks of the life. The delegations of PHD chamber of commerce and industries led by its chairman Mr Vikrant Kuthiala, Institute of Public opinion, headed by Mr Arun K.Gupta, members of Sales Tax Bar Association, Intellectuals and some prominent Academicians met the Minister and his team of Senior functionaries of the Finance Department today and putforth their suggestions for the next years’ Budget proposals with an eye to make it pro-people and trader friendly. The Economic Advisor of Govt. Mr Jalil Ahmed Khan, Principal Secretary Finance, Mr B.B.Viyas, Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Mr Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Excise Commissioner, Mrs Vineeta Gupta, Special Secretary Finance Mr Shakeel-ur- Rehman, Additional Secretary Finance, Mr Showkat Aijaz and Dy Commissioners of various wings of Commercial Taxes Department were also present during the Pre-budget consultation meetings. Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister said that holding of pre-budget consultation meetings with the stake holders have provide a wonderful exercise to get correct feedback about ground
relations and basic needs of the common people for which, I have made it a point to listen to all stake holders before summing up the Budget proposals. He said assured the delegations that their genuine and thought provoking suggestions put forth during deliberations shall be kept under active consideration while finalizing the Budget proposals. He asked them to contribute their bit in mobilization of revenue resources, which was primarily imperative for economic prosperity and sustained development of the State. He said that the state has very limited resources but problems are many. Even then, the Government has been trying to provide maximum tax concessions to the trade and industry adding that no fresh taxes were levied on common people during the Budgets presented during last 05 years. Instead, levying fresh taxes, it has been preferred to bring more reforms in the existing taxation setup by putting in place strict monitoring mechanism and bringing more transparency and accountability in the overall budget management system. He said it has been the sincere effort of the government to make procedures easier for trade and industry besides ensuring welfare and prosperity of the common people. Responding to some suggestions, the Minister said that the Govt will take every possible step to make relations with business community more cordial adding that taxation and law enforcing agencies
ASH department official bereaved, Gurezi, others express condolence JAMMU, JANURAY 28: The Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of wife of Pawan Kumar- an employee of Administrative Department Animal and Sheep Husbandry, who died in a tragic road accident yesterday. Mr. Pawan Kumar was also critically injured in the accident. A condolence meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Minister. Commissioner Secretary ASH, Sarita Chouhan and other employees were present in the meeting. Special prayers were held on the occasion and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and early recovery of the injured person.
have been, in clear cut terms, asked not to harass any dealer unnecessarily. He said all possibilities shall be explored to extend Tax Amnesty again to the defaulting traders and businessmen once the court stay on this concession is got vacated. He also referred to the proposed Goods and Services Tax regime, being implemented in the country shortly and assured that all the stake holders will be taken on board before its implementation in the State. The main suggestions put forth by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries included grant of incentives for overseas exports, setting up of more Industrial Estates, withdrawal of electricity duty on Industry. They also suggested introducing Aerial Cabling Bunching System to make hooking impossible, which will help in enforcing energy accounting. They also urged to promote Border Tourism in a big way besides establishment of an Advanced Ruling and dispute Settlement Authority. The IPO asked for stringent measures to check adulteration in food items, construction of Old Age Homes for convenience of elderly people, measures to tackle Mal-Nutrition, practical and realistic way of solving un-employment by promoting industrialization, development of new housing colonies with shopping complex provisions, multi parking facilities, provision of Sales Tax Amnesty Scheme and conferring land ownership rights to Industrial units.
Important Notice
It is for general information that the Electric Connection of Ali Mohammad Through Jaspal Singh Consumer I.D No:0201010001608 and Installation No:29656-R2 has to transfer it to Anees Ahmad Rather at Lal Chowk Srinagar. If anybody have any objection may contact Sub Division Electric Deptt. Sheikhbagh Srinagar with concern office within seven (7) days. After completion of time no objection will be entertained. AJAZ
From the front page
Zabarwan Times
Anees Ahmad Rather S/o: Mumtaz Ahmad Rather R/o: Srinagar.
Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Shahana Malik RNI NO. JKBII/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Publised at Govt. Quarters ( M-13 Magarmal Bagh Srinagar-190001 J&K, Printed at:- Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No. 09999964750, 9796 787844
10
Srinagar, Wednesday 29 January 2014
Department of Public Health Engineering Kashmir
Save Water save Life
Zabarwan Times
EDITORIAL/ OPINION Remove bottlenecks – start afresh
T
he continuous disruption in the cross LOC trade through Srinagar – Muzaffarbad road and the suspension of Carvaan Aman Bus service is not a good omen for the year 2014 as far as the relations of India and Pakistan are concerned. The world community must be august over what happened when drugs worth crores of rupees were seized from a truck coming from Pak occupied Kashmir and the subsequent negative impacts caused on the mutual relations by this unpleasant act. On one side the whole world was expecting 2014 to become a landmark year in Indo-Pak relations after the line of control and International boarders fell silent and fresh initiatives from both the sides were taken to remove the bottle necks in the relations. The commerce secretaries followed by the commerce ministers followed by the foreign ministers of the two countries not only met but gave positive indications of their desire to give a fillip to the relations. The ties between the two countries were expected to tough new heights as Pakistan once again signaled its stand to grant most favored nation’s status to India. However, in between some harsh statements from Pakistan Prime Minister did play a spoil spot but the efforts continued to establish good neighborly relations and improve the trade and commerce. The smuggling incident from POK side axed all hopes and aspirations of the peace loving people of the two countries who want both of them to come closer and cement their relations in reality. Though on 27th of Jan. 14 a meeting of the two sides was held at Salamabad to sought out the differences and to restored bus service and commerce activities, however, the impasse continued as the talks did not yield any positive results. Both the sides were very rigid on their stand though they agreed to meet again on 30th Jan. and moot new steps to settle the issues. India and Pakistan have for the last some years taken major steps forward to improve the mutual ties so that the past bitterness is forgotten and a new era of friendly ties is started which definitely would help both the countries to surge forward. However, the incident like the smuggling of drugs would harm the relations and will create hurdles for both the countries to come closer. It is in the fitness of the things that both discourage such incidents and play clean politics and relations between themselves.
Daily
Zabarwan Times
Srinagar,Wednesday 29 January 2014
Life expectancy increases by 5 years in the past decade
T
he health indicators across the country have shown significant improvements. The life expectancy has increased by 5 years in the past decade. What used to be 62.3 years for male and 63.9 years for female in 2001-2005 is now 67.3 years for male and69.6 years for female in 2011-2015. There has been reduction in new HIV cases by as much as 57%. Infant Mortality Rate has come down to 42 in 2012 from 58 per 1000 live births in the year 2005. Maternal Mortality Ratio has declined from 301 per 100,000 live births in 2001-03 to 212 in 2007-09. The pace of decline has shown an increasing trend from 4.1% annual rate of decline during 2001-03 to 5.5% in 2004-06 and further to 5.8% in 2007-09. Total Fertility Rate has come down to 2.4 in 2011 from 2.9 in 2005. Adding a new feather in the cap is declaration of India as Polio Free Nation. On the 13th January, 2014, India made history by completing three years without a single case of wild polio. This feat was unimaginable till 2009, when India accounted for more than half of the global polio burden. The appreciable developments in the healthcare sector are attributable to the strengthening of the health infrastructure in the country, and a focused approach by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Government has increased budget outlay by 335% to Rs 3 lakh crore in 12th Plan for healthcare to achieve universal and inclusive healthcare for all citizens. Moreover, under the National Health Mission (NHM) there are two subcomponents namely National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) which aim to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care to the rural as well as urban population. The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as a sub-mission of National Health Mission (NHM) was approved by the Cabinet on 1st May, 2013. It envisages to meet health care needs of the urban population with the focus on urban poor, by making available to them essential primary health care services and reducing their out of pocket expenses for treatment. In the 12th Plan an allocation of Rs. 15,143 crores has been made for National Urban Health Mission. NRHM was launched by the Government over eight years ago and substantial progress has been achieved under it. More than Rs. 1, 11, 000 crores has been released by the Health Ministry to 35 State Governments and UTs. Nearly 51,000 new health infrastructures have been created, including new construction and up-gradation works to improve health facilities. More than 70,000 beds have been added in Government health institutions for provision of essential and emergency services across the country. Addition of nearly 1.6 lakh human resources that include specialists, doctors, nurses, ANMs and para-medics and nearly 9 lakh community health workers called ASHAs have been appointed in villages to facilitate interface between the communities and health system.
Under NRHM National Ambulance Services, support free ambulance services to provide patients transport in every nook and corner of the country connected with a toll free number to a Call Centre. Over 15,000 basic and emergency patient transport vehicles have been provided under NRHM. Besides these, over 3,000 vehicles have been empanelled to transport patients, particularly pregnant women and sick infants from home to public health facilities and back. To increase visibility and awareness102 & 108 ambulances are being repositioned as “National Ambulance Service” with universal colour and design. NRHM also provides for institutional delivery among the poor pregnant women under the Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY). Substantial increase in institutional deliveries has resulted in the steep decline of the IMR and MMR. The scheme is operationalized in all the States with more than 12 million beneficiaries. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was launched in February, 2013. It entitles children in the age group of zero to eighteen years across the country to receive free health screening services and free treatment including surgeries, where required. An estimated 27 crore children are to be covered across the country eventually, with screening for 30 common health conditions for early detection of: Defects, Diseases, Deficiencies and Developmental disorders. More than 1 crore 86 lakh children screened; more than 7 lakhs 64 thousand children referred; more than 90 thousand children have availed free secondary or tertiary health care The Government has implemented Home Based Newborn Care up to 42 days of life through ASHAs, Newborn care corners (NBCC) at delivery points and training of health care providers in Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram(NSSK) for effective essential newborn care is a key component of the newborn continuum of care have been established. And Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) at FRUs/DH and Newborn Stabilisation Units (NBSUs) have been established to provide care to sick, low birth weight and preterm newborns. For management of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition, 872 Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres have been operationalized in the country till December 2013. Training Package for Facility Based Management of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition has been shared with the States in 2013. The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), launched recently, aims to bring in several new dimensions like- mental health, nutrition, substance misuse, gender based violence and non-communicable diseases. The programme introduces community based interventions through peer educators. The strategic approach to RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, New born, Child Health + Adolescent) in which `A` denotes adolescents To meet the challenge of high prevalence and incidence of anaemia amongst adolescent girls and boys, the Ministry of
Bridge Spans A Century
T
he Pamban Bridge is a basically a cantilever bridge on the Palk straits which connects the holy, pilgrim town of Rameswaram to mainland India. It spans a 2 km-strait between mainland and island and is the only surface transport link between the two. A cantilever bridge is basically a bridge built using cantilevers – i.e. structures that project horizontally into space, supported only on one end. The steel truss cantilever bridge was a major engineering breakthrough when first put into practice, as it can span distances of over 1,500 feet (460 m), and can be more easily constructed at difficult crossings. The Pamban Bridge is 6,776 ft (2,065 m) and was opened for traffic in 1914. It has a double leaf section midway, which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through. The railway bridge historically carried metre gauge trains on it, but it was upgraded to carry broad-gauge trains in August, 2007. Until recently, the two leaves of the bridge were opened manually using levers by workers. About 10 ships — cargo carriers, coast guard ships, fishing vessels and oil tankers — pass through the bridge every month. From the elevated two-lane road bridge, adjoining islands and the parallel rail bridge below can be viewed. This bridge, constructed hundred years ago, is still in good condition and is a marvel of engineering. Until recently, the bridge formed Pamban island's only link with the Indian mainland. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims on pilgrimage to the holy Hindu shrine of Rameswaram cross the bridge every day. According to various experts the bridge is located at the "world's second highly corrosive environment", next to Miami, US, making the construction a challenging job. The location is also a cyclone-prone high wind velocity zone. Incident in 1965 Shri G P Warrier, who was Director, Civil Engineering in 1965 (and later retired as Railway Board Chairman), writes in his auto biography entitled “Time, Tide and My Railway Days” about the Pamban bridge thus: “The unprecedented tidal wave in February, 1965, 14 feet high, washed off a passenger train running between Rameswaram and Dhnushkoti at 10.00 pm. There were no survivors. The tidal wave also cut off all connections between the main land and the Rameswaram Island by putting the Pamban bridge out of use. On this long railway bridge all the 144 steel girders were washed off……….Sreedharan, one of our outstanding engineers, was in charge of the (restoration) work and it goes to his credit that he completed this very difficult task in just a short period of four months.”Recent incident On 13 January 2013 the bridge suffered minor damages when a naval barge that went adrift close to the Pamban Rail Bridge collided with the century old structure. The ship that was towing a naval barge from Kolkata to a port near Mumbai first went aground hitting rocks on the January 10 following bad weather. Disaster followed as the vessel remained stuck just 50 metres away from the rail bridge. The barge that was afloat around 100 metres away hit the Pamban Rail Bridge. Request to IIT The Railways have requested IIT, Madras to assess the strength of the century old Pamban Bridge and analyse options. It has been asked to consider whether it was necessary to build a new one adjacent to the present structure. The options included building a new bridge with a split span for navigation, further strengthening the existing one or building a higher level structure like a road bridge. Veena Dhanammal and Pamban bridge There is a story connecting the legendary Veena Dhanammal, one of the pioneering ladies in the firmament of Carnatic music, with the Pamban Bridge. She used to scold students who sang songs at a high tempo asking them whether they were going to catch the Boat train or even trying to overtake it! The then famous boat train (boat mail) ran, during the period 1915 to 1964, from Madras Egmore up to Dhanushkodi. From that point passengers were ferried to Talaimannar in Ceylon – what is now known as Sri Lanka! However, the metre gauge branch line from Pamban Junction to Dhanushkodi was abandoned after it was destroyed in the 1965 tidal wave incident.
Health and Family Welfare launched the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme for 10-19 years adolescent population. Also the National Iron + Initiative was launched for prevention and treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia among different age groups. Under National Iron + Initiative initiative it is envisaged to ensure provision of IFA supplementation and therapeutic management of mild, moderate and severe anaemia in the most vulnerable groups – children (6months- 10 years), adolescents (10-19 years), pregnant and lactating women and women of reproductive age group (15-45 years) through a continuum of care approach. GOI initiated an integrated National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). The Government has launched some of new vaccines like indigenously developed JE Vaccine (JENVAC) in 2013. Also, Hepatitis B vaccine and second dose of measles vaccine are now part of the Universal Immunization Programme. Pentavalent, a combination vaccine, which includes DPT + Hep-B + Hib has been introduced in eight states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu in December 2011 and Puducherry, Goa, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka and J & K in 2012-13. This ensures complete immunization against five diseases and also reduces the chances of an adverse event following immunization due to less injection load. Government of India earlier provided only one JE dose and now has introduced two doses of JE vaccine under Routine Immunization with first dose at 9-12 months and 2nd dose at 16-24 months with effect from 1st April 2013. The Government has also launched Reverse Dot Blot Hybridization (RDB) Thalassemia Diagnostic Kit and AV Magni-Visualiser the screening device for cervical cancer in December, 2013 and indigenously developed Diabetes Screening System and Test Strips in January 2014. Efforts have been made to increase the number of doctors the Government rationalized the land use norms for setting up New Medical Colleges, bed occupancy norms, retirement age of faculty, and teacher student ratio was relaxed from 1:1 to 1:2 generally and 1:3 in some specific cases for post-graduate courses. The availability of MBBS seats has gone up from 33,567 to 51,979, i.e. an increase of 18,412 seats or almost 55%. During the same period, the number of PG seats has increased from 13,838 to 23,931 i.e. an increase of 10,093 seats or almost 73%. Within this period, 97 new medical colleges, including six new AIIMS, have been established raising the number of Medical Colleges from 290 to 387, which is all time high. Similarly, 19 Government Medical Colleges have been up-graded as super speciality hospitals. Together the 6 new AIIMS, and 19 up-graded institutions would provide speciality and super-speciality care in all disciplines with a net addition of 11,390 beds covering 27 locations spread across the country.
ESSO - Providing Scientific and Technical Support B
y all measures, 2013-14 has been the most challenging, eventful and productive years for various endeavors of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) in the recent past. One of the important milestones accomplished during year is commencement of full-fledged operations at the 3rd Antarctic Station “ Bharati”. India has been accorded observed status in the Arctic Council in recognition of India’s scientific contribution and endeavour in Polar research. During the year, the country witnessed a number of natural disasters such as tropical cyclones Thane, Phailin, and Helen and extreme events like landslides in Uttarakhand and floods in Andhra, Gujarat due to intense precipitations, and earthquakes besides strongest southwest monsoon of the recent years. It was a daunting task to issue timely and reliable information on rainfall, winds, storm surges, high waves which have been successfully performed. This has received an overwhelming appreciation from a wide range user community. The improvement in forecasting of various events has been accomplished primarily due to coordinated effort of all the entities of ESSO and strengthening of observations networks of ocean and atmospheric sectors, assimilation of data, implementation of high resolution global and regional ocean atmospheric models. The high performance computing system has been upgraded from the existing 70 Teraflop to storage archival capacity of one Petabyte, which is ranked at 36th position in the world’s top 500 and first in the country. The Agro-Meterelogical advisories have been extended to all the 600 districts of the country and sub-district services are being done on pilot scale in selected districts. Currently, over 4.2 million farmers have subscribed to the agro-advisory services. For the first time in India, an indigenous climate model has been employed for studying variability and predictability of monsoon on seasonal, interannual and decadal time scale. The long range forecast for the season (June-September) rainfall for the country as a whole was 104-108% against actual rainfall of 106% of LPA for the year 2013. With regard to ocean mineral survey and exploration, the work was productive. A series of seven major research cruises of 30 days each have been conducted in the central Indian Ocean Basin for acquisition of marine geophysical data, where the newly developed deep-see mining technologies were tested and made operational on experimental basis. These include testing of ROSUB at the mining site for exploitation of hydrothermal sulfides, which transmitted real-time data from the Indian Ridge in the Indian Ocean to oversee monitoring the operations from Chennai. India’s filed the application for allotment of a site for exploration of Polymetallic Sulphides in the Indian Ocean during meeting of the International Seabed Authority, Kingston, Jamaica, held from 8-19 July 2013. Towards providing improved earthquake information, a set of 75 Broadband seismic and GPS receivers have been established. The state of the art Indian tsunami early warning system is now capable of issue advisories on tsunamis occurred not only due to earthquakes anywhere in the Indian Ocean but also landslides as demonstrated during the recent Pakistan earthquake. As per India’s commitment to the UNESCO, the International Training Centre of Operational Oceanography was established and made operational for promotion of capacity building and training activities for the countries of the Indian Ocean Region. Under the outreach programs, the ESSO had organized Earth Science Olympaid in September 2013. The economic benefits of various services being rendered by ESSO across the sectors are well recognized, which contributes sustainably to the GDP. Lastly, the ESSO’s participation of various activities emerged from the Result Framework Document effort. Viz., preparation of Action Plans for ISO 9001:2008, and effort should be made for improve Innovations and Citizen’s charters have been rated as one of the best. The evaluation of performance of the RFD of ESSO has secured 94% consistently for the 3rd year.
Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer