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WEDNESDAY 30 April | 2014 | 29 Jamadi-Ul-Saani, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 |
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VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 119 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)
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Radia tapes: Supreme Court to first hear issue of right to privacy
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BJP, bureaucracy sabotaged return of 116 Pandit families Thankful to CM for his keen interest in our return: KMRWS Srinagar, Apr 29: Kashmir Migrant Rehabilitation and Welfare Society (KMRWS), an association of Kashmiri migrant Pandits on Tuesday disclosed that a section in the bureaucracy and BJP and its allied has created roadblocks in their return to their homes in valley. Talking to KNS, Ashok Raina, chairman KMRWS said that 116 Kashmiri Pandit migrant families had agreed in principle to return Kashmir and had filed their affidavits before the government on the personal intervention from the chief minister Omar Abdullah. “ See BJP On PG 11..
07 structures damaged in Fire Srinagar, April 29: Six residential houses and a Hotel was damaged in three separate fire incident across the valley. Fire broke out in Hotel Kings Lay at Gulmarg resulting in damage to 21 rooms of the Hotel. An employee of the Hotel was also injured in the incident. The injured has been shifted to hospital for treatment. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders. Gulmarg Police has been registered in this regard. Meanwhile, fire erupted at Donipawa Anantnag, resulting in damage to three residential houses. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders and Police. In another incident, See Fire On PG 11..
Inside story Election training programmefor Baramulla poll staff
BARAMULLA, APRIL 29: According to the District Election Officer Baramulla, all the selected Presiding and Polling Officers are being provided necessary election training in four phases. The first phase of the programme would begin at 10 a.m on May 01, 2014. Under the training programme, polling personnel of Uri Assembly segment would be trained at Boys Higher Secondary School Uri while poll staff of Rafiabad Assembly segment at Boys Higher Secondary
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On Edit Page Hurling of abuses and foul language - harmful for democracy The elections to the 16th Lok Sabha have entered into final phase but what has been witnessed during the polling process is really unfortunate and uncalled for as the leaders of different political parties have stooped too low and have crossed all the limitations of a civilized society by using filthy and abusive language against each other. The campaigning has seen different parties exposing each other by even indulging in personal attacks and exhibiting videos
Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K
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Srinagar LS seat goes to polls today amid tight security Srinagar, April 29: The Srinagar Parliamentary constituency is going for polls Wednesday amid huge presence of police and paramilitary forces in every nook and corner in Central Kashmir areas. The two main contestants for Srinagar Constituency are National Conference’s Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party’s Tariq Ahmad Karra. Official sources told GNS that in order to ensure ‘violence free’ polls in Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam districts of Srinagar constituency, the authorities have deployed 241 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) for polling duty. Sources said apart from 241 companies of paramilitary troopers, the authorities will deploy around 50 companies of CRPF to tackle stone throwing protests. The 15 battalions of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) and Indian Reserve Police (IRP)
Poll staff attacked; 1 injured Srinagar, April 29: Scores of youth attacked vehicles ferrying polling staff at several places across Srinagar city late Tuesday evening. Official sources told GNS that a vehicles carrying election staff were attacked with stones near Darish Kadal and Rajouri See Poll On PG 11.. will also be deployed to maintain law and order. The polling stations will be taken over by forces by this evening, officials said. A top security source told GNS that authorities as well as government forces will not allow the south Kashmir-like situation in Central Kashmir on the polling day. “We have learnt lesson from south See Sgr On PG 11..
Elections only route to see Kashmir out of bad times: Mehbooba Condemns latest arrest spree of youth Srinagar, Apr 29 : Condemning the indiscriminate arrest of the youth in the Valley Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti has said the participation in the elections offers the only route to take Kashmir out of repression, injustice and fear. According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a number of rallies in Rafiabad segment of Baramulla constituency, Mehbooba said hundreds of youth have been locked up across the Srinagar parliament constituency and rural areas of Kashmir to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. “While in Srinagar this has been done ahead of elections, in South Kashmir it followed polling, apparently in accordance with a plan” she said and added that they benefit-
ed from them in South Kashmir and then cracked down on them following the traditional use and throw policy of the NC. She said the fact that the government has to resort to such draconian methods at the end of its six years rule and deny young men their right to vote by putting them in jails is a sad commentary on the failures of the National Conference-Congress government. The PDP president said in 2008 even after the state was on a boil in the aftermath of Amarnath agitation people came out in large numbers to participate in elections because their faith in the electoral system had been revived by the PDP-led government.“Our party had been cautioning that See Mehbooba On PG 11..
Elections cannot be made an excuse to make a mockery of rights of youth: Sajad Srinagar, Apr 29: Slamming the National Conference- Peoples Democratic Party twinship for facilitating the arrests of hundreds of youth across Kashmir, chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Sajad Gani Lone today said that elections cannot be made an excuse to make a mockery of the rights of the youth . According to a statement issued to KNS, Lone while campaigning in north Kashmir’s Baramulla –Kupwara parliamentary segment said if NC and PDP cannot excite people enough or attract them to come out and vote, why should the poor youths have to suffer for that? “Boycott of polls is a political and democratic concept not a military concept. And it falls within the rights of any individual in any democratic society to not vote and to propagate boycott. Boycott need not nec-
essarily be linked to boycott calls. The parties contesting elections need to look within and introspect. If they cannot excite people enough or attract people enough to come out and vote- why should the poor youths have to suffer for that?” he asked. Lone said there is unambiguous evidence that both PDP and the NC have made requests for arrest of youths. “The government cannot and should not arrest youths who in most of the cases are from poor families and do not have the means to legally defend themselves,” he said. Lone said it is time that the political institutions spell out whether there is a separate set of rules for conduct of elections in the state of J & K. The PC chairman said the Election Commission of India ECI obsessed of a high voter turnout seems See Sajad On PG 11..
Omar addresses election rallies at Pattan, Rafiabad, Langate Terms PDP leadership as ‘empty vessels’
City tense before poll day; shutdown in Maisuma
Srinagar, April 29: Amid pre-poll tension in the Srinagar city, the volatile Maisuma located in heart of the city, observed a complete shutdown in the afternoon. The Srinagar constituency is going for polls tomorrow and the tension and fear has gripped the city. See City On PG 11..
1200739 electorate to exercise franchise
Srinagar, Apr 29: Arrangements for conducting free, fair and impartial Lok Sabha Elections-2014 in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency for which polling is scheduled to be held on April 30, 2014 have been finalized. See Franchise On PG 11..
Rafiabad-Baramulla, Apr 29: Equating PDP leadership with empty vessels, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is also Working President of the National Conference Tuesday said that they are making noises like hollow pots and try to sustain on falsehood. According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing Election rallies and workers meeting in Pattan, Rafiabad and Langate today, Omar said that broken promises, hollow slogans and vested interests are the hallmark of PDP and its leadership. “Mufti duo are in undercover league See Omar On PG 11..
JK cements a sinking boat
Incurs a loss of about 2 Crore rupees in just one year Srinagar, Apr 29 : State’s largest employer JK cements has shown a dwindling trend in terms of earning for the state during 2012-13. The figures have become a cause of concern for the state authorities, wondering over the possible reason behind the corporations’ loss. According to the figures available with KNS, JK Cements earned a profit of 435.51 lakhs during the year 2011-12 as against 253 lakhs in 2012-13, showing the loss of 181.51 lakhs in just one year. The details maintained further that the sales of the JK cements have also gone down during the last year. During 2012, JKCL produced 177550 metric tons of the cement and
made the sale of 12,049 lakh rupees. In 2013- the production instead of getting increased, suddenly went down from 177550 to 167906 metric tons- showing the decline of 9644 metric tons in a year. Also JKCL in the year 2012-13 made the sale of just 11600 lakhs- It shows that the sales witnessed the down steep of 449 lakhs in a year. JKCL was incorporated as a fully owned government company in December 1974 with the objective to exploit the abundant deposits, make the quality cement available to the consumers at reasonable rates, besides filling up of the gap between demand and supply.Interestingly, JKCL has See JK On PG 11..
Srinagar, Apr 29 (KNS): As the power scenario in the state is worsening after every day with the people spending much of their time in darkness, the Power Development Department (PDD) has issued the tender for procurement of four lakh meters for the people here. According to the details received by KNS, PDD while proving reason behind the move stated that the installation of the meters is done to increase the revenue and meet out the deficit. Also the PDD stated that the move will put a lid over all the illegal connections being used at present without the knowledge of the department. The details maintained that presently the PDD has installed more than eight lakh meters in the state with 374834 meters installed in
Jammu region and 324542 meters in valley. In 2006- the quantity of the meters was one lakh and fifty thousand and the same witnessed the increase of more than five lakh and fifty thousand in five years. According to the 2011 census, the state has 20, 150,88 households but the figures available with the PDD reveal that only 14,906,96 are registered with the PDD while as there are more than two lakh fifty thousand households that avail electricity illegally. Authorities also stated that the installation of the meters could make the people to register their electricity connections and also the same shall decrease the power losses. The department continues to remain under criticism for failing to provide adequate power supply to its consumers. The power supply has always See Govt On PG 11..
WEATHER
In literacy too Gender gap in JK more than national
FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS: FORECAST OF SRINAGAR: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 22°C & 07°C
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Srinagar, Apr 29: With the Gender Gap in Literacy (GGL) showing a major decrease across India, in Jammu and Kashmirthe cause of concern is that the trend has increased manifold since last four decades. According to the details available with KNS, the gender gap in literacy has been drastically decreasing at the All India level from 25.06 percent in 1961 to
21.59 percent in 2001 and further to 16.68 percent in 2011. In Jammu and Kashmir, contrary to the percentage at the All India level, the gender gap in literacy is increasing. In 1961- it was 12.71 percent and it reached 23.60 percent in 2001. The reports informed that the gender gap in literacy is more visible in rural areas if the state as compared to the urban ones. The authorities while providing reasons
Akbar Lone slaps youth Srinagar, Apr 29: National Conference minister for higher education Mohammad Akbar Lone on Tuesday plunged his party into a new controversy by slapping a person who had stood up among the audience to protest against the government at Watergam-Rafiabad. According to See Akbar On PG 11..
Baramulla, Apr 29 (KNS): Calling for a political will and broader national consensus to address the Kashmir issue, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said Kashmir has suffered too much and for too long to be turned into a slanging match for electoral gains. According to a statement issued to KNS, Sayeed while addressing a series of election rallies in Sangrama assembly segment of Baramulla parliamentary constituency said: “Instead of indulging in histrionics and rhetoric for votes, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his Union Minister father, Dr Farooq Abdullah should tell the people what they
Govt to install 4 lakh more meters to meet demands Over 300,000 households using unauthorized electricity: PDD
Side lights of Omar’s rally
Mufti calls for broader political consensus to resolve Kashmir done for Jammu ‘JK has suffered too have and Kashmir while in all these years.” much for too long’ power He said having lost the
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Light Rain would occur at a few places over the state.
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behind the issue stated that the problem can be attributed to several factors like social dogmas, engagement of the girl child in agricultural and other domestic activities. It was stated further that the government is making all efforts to decrease the gender gap in literacy and that various departments have put their heads together so that the objective could be achieved. (KNS)
ground, National Conference leaders are ironically now trying to exploit
Kashmir’s pain for political gains by indulging in absurd theatrics. “While people in every nook and corner of J&K are suffering immensely because of the complete collapse of governance, NC leaders See Mufti On PG 11..
Arrests undemocratic, uncivilized: Untoo
Srinagar, Apr 29: Condemning the fresh arrest spree across the valley, the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights – JK (IFJHR-JK) Tuesday said the administration cannot justify its actions in the name of “security concern” due to which uncertainty has been created. “Where on earth does police arrest youth for conducting smooth elections, this is totally undemocratic and unacceptable to any democratic nation,” chairman IFJHR-JK, Muhammad Ahsaan Untoo said. He demanded unconditional release of all those arrested persons accused as stone pelters and trouble mongers by the government. “Around 700 persons have been so far arrested in various districts of Kashmir and are ‘wrongly’ labeled as threat to free See Untoo On PG 11..
‘Suspicious bag’ creates panic in city outskirts Srinagar, April 29: An unattended bag on the Srinagar-Muzzafarabad highway herein city outskirts led to a bomb scare, resulting in a massive traffic jam on the highway on Monday. Officials said a ‘suspicious’ bag was found at Tengpora bridge on Bypass road this morning by forces men posted in the area. “The local police officer was informed and Bomb Disposal Squad was also called,” forces men present on the scene had told GNS. A police spokesman said the ‘suspicious bag’ was checked by Bomb Disposal Squad and 14 ladies suits were found in it. He added that the traffic was restored later.Yesterday, similar incident took place in See Panic On PG 11..
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Srinagar, Wednesday 30 April 2014
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Sgr Kashmir where stone-throwers as well as militants resorted to violence and created mess on the poll day which led to low turnout in Anantnag constituency.” The Central Kashmir’s Anantnag constituency which went for polls last week recorded 28% turnout amid violent clashes and a militant attack. In order to avoid militant attacks, the searches and patrolling by police, Special Operation Group (SOG) and CRPF have been intensified. “Militants will definitely try to derail democratic process. We have strong inputs about their presence in all the three districts. But we will not allow them to achieve success,” a senior paramilitary officer, insisting not to be named, told GNS. “About 60-70 mobile bunkers have been setup at various strategic locations to tackle militant movement and more checkpoints have been established,” the officer said. He claimed that they have ‘inputs’ about the militant movement in all the three districts of Srinagar Constituency particularly in Chadoora area of Budgam. The Inspector General (IG) CRPF, P K Singh, however, told GNS that they don’t have any ‘specific input’ militants trying to derail polls. “But”, he said, “we have ready planned how to tackle militant attacks.” He said the whole Central Kashmir is under security and the arrangements have been finalized for polls. The Public Relations Officer of CRPF, Kishore Prasad told GNS that they have been instructed not to allow mobilization of public in and around polling stations except for voting purpose. “We have instructions not allow mass mobilization around polling stations. Those who vote caste vote will be asked to go to their homes,” he said. The Jammu and Kashmir on Monday said they have detained over 500 youth to ensure violence free polls while sources put the number around 1300. Almost all the pro-freedom leaders and activists have been detained ahead of polls. The pro-freedom leaders and militants have asked people to boycott the polls. The militants have also threatened action against the voters. Several posters attributed to Hizbul Mujahideen appeared in old city threatening voters and pro-India workers. Meanwhile, the civilian movement in Srinagar was low as compared to other days. The officials admitted that movement of people was less. “There is less civilian movement and more forces movement,” a security official told GNS. A Srinagar city resident told GNS: “There is fear and tension in the city. No one wants to get into trouble either by forces or by militants. So people aren’t taking any risk.” (GNS)
Poll Kadal in Old City area late this evening. A poll official Feroz Ahmad Shah was injured in the incident at Darish Kadal,” he said. He further said that scores of youth in another incident attacked a poll staff vehicle at Lawaypora in outskirts of Srinagar city resulting in injuries to an official. (GNS)
City The vehicular and pedestrian movement was less in whole city on Tuesday. The reasons cited by people are heavy security checks, fear of militant attacks and stone-throwing protests. The rumors also rounded the city throughout the day. Many people called media houses and journalists including GNS office and enquired about happenings in the city. Meanwhile, a complete spontaneous shutdown was observed in Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front bastion – Maisuma – in the afternoon.
Franchise It is pertinent to mention that 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency comprises Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts consisting of total 15 Assembly segments including 08 in Srinagar, 05 in Budgam and 02 in Ganderbal districts respectively In this connection, the poll staff for the Constituency has been dispatched along with Electronic Voting Machines and other poll material. In Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, 14 candidates are in the fray which include Dr. Farooq Abdullah of National Conference, Tariq Hameed Kara of Peoples Democratic Party, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat of Bhartiya Janta Party, Mohammad Maqbool Malik of National Panthers Party, Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat of Aam Admi Party, Mushtaq Shamim of Akhil Bhartiya Muslim League and Aga Syed Mohsin. Besides, Bashir Mohd Reshi, Chetan Sharma, Rabia Altaf, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Abdul Rashid Tantary, Mohammad Shafi Guroo and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh are in the fray as independent candidates As many as 1200739 electors including 628522 male and 572217 female voters are going to exercise their franchise in 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency is. As many as 1546 polling stations have been set up in the 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency. (GNS)
Omar with BJP and are providing all tactical support to Narendra Modi hopping that he will bring them back to power in J&K in the same manner as BJP installed Mufti Sayeed as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in 2002 with the view to operating its anti-J&K agenda through him”, he said and maintained that the leadership of PDP has sold its conscience and interests of the people of the State to its New Delhi mentors but they should know that gone are the days when Khaileel Khan used to fly doves . “People of the Jammu and Kashmir will not allow it to happen again, they will make the PDP to bite the dust both in the current Lok Sabha Elections and in ensuing Assembly polls”, he asserted and said that weeding deceptive elements out of the politics from the State is the need of the hour. Omar said that PDP lives on circulating rumors and false propaganda. He said its leadership lies to people and is known for broken promises. He said during the tenure of Mufti Sayeed as Chief Minister of the State and as the Home Minister of the Country, he never talked about Kashmir issue, AFSPA or any other such important matters but his only contribution towards the State was to install Jagmohan as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. “Mufti promised two employ-
Zabarwan Times ments to each household during the electioneering in 2002 but provided the employment to his own self as Chief Minister and his daughter as MP in the Parliament”, Omar Abdullah said. While making reference to the Narendra Modi’s recent utterances against people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Working President, National Conference said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir need no certificate for their secular credential from Narendra Modi like people who are known for their communal ideology and are stigmatized for innocent killings. Omar said Modi is no issue in Kashmir and BJP’s contesting candidates are sure to lose their deposits in current Lok Sabha Elections ‘but the ideology of Narendra Modi and BJP against Jammu and Kashmir is the issue before us’. He said PDP is providing all support to Narendra Modi and the BJP as such every vote cast in favour of PDP would strengthen the anti-J&K political party BJP in the Centre. “We have to ensure defeat of PDP candidates to defeat BJP”, he emphasized. Omar said that Lok Sabha Elections are to elect the Prime Minister of the Country and it has nothing to do with the Election of the State Chief Minister or the MLAs. “You have to bring secular, democratic forces at the helm of affairs in the Country so that equitable development and inclusiveness rules the roost”, he said and stressed on the need of defeating BJP in the State by defeating PDP candidates. The Working President, National Conference said that the track record of Sharif-ud-Din Shariq as MP and his PDP opponent Muzaffar Hussain Baig as MLA is before the people. “While Shariq actively highlighted Jammu and Kashmir issues in the Parliament, Muzaffar Hussain Baig loved to remain absent from J&K Legislative Assembly sessions for most of the time and did not represent his constituency”, he said and questioned when Baig could not represent the Baramulla Assembly constituency in State Legislative Assembly how can he be of any help to the people of large Baramulla- Kupwara Parliamentary constituency. Omar asked the people to vote in large numbers in favour of NC-Congress joint candidates and exhibit their faith in the true representatives who will highlight their issues in the Parliament vehemently and capably. The Elections rallies were addressed by various NC and Congress leaders. (KNS)
Akbar KNS correspondent, during the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s address to an election rally at Watergam in Rafiabad, a youth sitting in the audience identified as Mohammad Amin from Jagir Sopore stood up and invited chief minister’s attention by waving some papers in air. “The moment Amin disrupted Omar’s speech security personnel jumped from the podium and tried to pacify him. Soon after Mohammad Akbar Lone, minister for higher education also joined the security personnel and slapped the youth till he was taken out from the rally by the security forces,” eyewitness told KNS. Talking to KNS correspondent, Amin who was accused by the National Conference leaders of being affiliated with opposition PDP, said: “I am not affiliated to any political party. I had applied for a mineral water plant but I am being pushed from pillar to post for the last many years and despite a huge investment of around Rs 20 to 25 lakhs, I am not being issued registration certificate,” he said. Amin added that he had tried to meet chief minister Omar Abdullah many a times but to no avail. “Today I tried to meet the chief minister here or to grab his attention. But I never knew that I will be beaten to pulp that too by a minister in Omar’s cabinet,” he added. In the meantime, the chief minister during his address revealed that the opposition PDP was behind the disruption in his election rally by sending its workers who create chaos in his rallies. (KNS)
Mehbooba the reversal of the policies of the previous government would lead to further alienation have, unfortunately, come true and the state government is now resorting to illegitimate methods to subdue the anger against it. It is sad that while elections should have been a time to celebrate the right to choose a government in Kashmir the occasion has been converted into terrorization of people especially the youth,” said Mehbooba. Appealing the people to vote for the PDP candidate, Muzzafar Hussain Baig, Mehbooba said her party is not seeking a mandate for some of its leaders to occupy ministerial chairs in Delhi, but its aim is to end repression and terror which keeps revisiting Kashmir every now and then. She said the ruling government has blocked all avenues for the youth to grow in a free and conducive atmosphere that could bring out the best of their talent. “Instead of providing such atmosphere, upgrading educational and skill development facilities and creating new job opportunities in line with requirements of the 21st century, the NC is pushing the youth to stone throwing and even picking up arms once again as was reflected in the sad story of Abdul Haq of Shopian.” Mehbooba said the PDP is going to the Parliament with a positive agenda to push for a peaceful settlement of Jammu & Kashmir which was possible only through friendship between India and Pakistan and building of trust deficit between New Delhi and Kashmir. “Our party would forcefully and sincerely voice the concerns of people of J&K, their aspirations and would seek consensus at the national level for the peaceful settlement of the political issue, which had been till now missing as National Conference would use its mandate just to secure jobs for the members of Abdullah family,” she said. Mehbooba said there is need of having strong and sincere voices from J&K in the parliament who can takeup the issues of people and the issue of the state in the parliament. “The aspirations of people of the state and their issues are priority before the PDP unlike the NC which considers power and luxury for itself as the only reason for holding elections,” she said adding had NC not taken people for granted Kashmiris would not have been suffering this time and would not had lost many generations to the bad times. Speaking on the occasion the party’s General Secretary, Mohammad Dilawar Mir said the NC has converted itself into an available appendage for sharing power with whosoever rules Delhi and by doing so it has lost its regional representative character. He said the ruling party has abandoned governance and left people to their own devices of survival in the belief that it can survive in power through its ‘special contacts’ at the Centre. (KNS)
JK
expanded its capacity by installing additional unit of 600 tons per day plant. The project had the approv-
al of the state cabinet at a cost of rupees 87.52 crores comprising of 26.27 rupees as the ‘contribution’ from the government towards company’s share capital and 61.25 crores as term loan from JK Bank. (KNS)
Mufti have reverted back to the outdated tactics of emotional blackmail to exploit the public sentiment,” he said and added that the reign of repression let loose by the NC-Congress coalition regime on the hapless youth is pushing the State towards another phase of instability and strife. “As the people were trying to recoup with the tragedies of turmoil, unfortunately, NC leaders have started pushing Kashmir back into a turbulent situation, as it suits the party’s political interests,” Sayeed said adding that there seems to be complete anarchy in the state at present with repression and alienation going up dangerously. Sayeed said although New Delhi has never given such unflinching support to any Chief Minister in J&K as was given to Omar Abdullah, but unfortunately five years down the line, Omar Abdullah instead of using this support for public good has presided over the complete collapse of governance in J&K. He said when the present Government will be voted out by the people towards the end of this year, if anything, it would be remembered as the darkest era for J&K for recurrence of killings by unidentified gunmen, wanton arrests, mounting sense of insecurity, socio-economic instability, frightening increase in crime rate, menacing drug abuse, deaths in road rage, vanishing rule of law, rampant corruption, institutional degradation, misgovernance, dilapidated roads, power shortage, drinking water scarcity, unemployment, maladministration, spurious medicines, frustrating traffic snarls and countless other anti-people measures. Sayeed said by making commitments on political and development fronts which are never followed up with action; this Government has immensely eroded the credibility of the political executive in the State. “The anti-people measures of this Government are pushing people towards the wall and frustration and alienation is mounting dangerously among the young generation,” he said and added that the State is again being pushed into a state of anarchy that could lead to another phase of disorder. He said in post-2002 era, PDP had transformed the political discourse in J&K by piloting successfully and with conviction the crucial issues concerning the State and its people. “Unfortunately, the massive effort that had gone into creating a new atmosphere of peace, reconciliation and resolution in and around J&K seems at the real risk of going waste due to NC’s mis-governance and political maneuvering. Sayeed said it is encouraging to see that the people have now understood the politics of NC which has not only been deceitful but has been always focused towards power. He said there is a growing realization on the ground that it is the NC which has damaged the basic cause of Kashmiris by always tilting towards power and not pursuing the interests of people from whom it has been taking votes from the last 65 years. “Using the people’s mandate to seek power instead of working to uphold the aspirations and sentiments of Kashmiris the NC leadership has served a big blow not just to its own credibility but to the people’s faith also,” he said and added that the time has now come for this party to allow J&K to move forward away from manipulative, disruptive and deceitful politics. Sayeed urged people to vote and support PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig in the May 7 polls for Baramulla Parliamentary constituency to send a strong voice to the Parliament. PDP leaders Basharat Bukhari, Abdul Ahad Yatoo, Sardar Janak Singh Sodhi, Sheikh Mushtaq, Aijaz Amad, Sheikh Habibullah, Ghulam Qadir Parray and others also addressed the rallies. (KNS)
Sajad to have decided to turn a blind eye to the grave issue of arrests. “The police version is taken as divine version by the ECI observers and hence there is no intervention,” Lone said, adding “Our District president for Baramulla Asif Lone met the election observers and requested them to look into the cases of these arrests in Baramulla district but no action was taken”. (KNS)
Govt remained a political issue in the state with the politicians during every election promising voters more brighter days ahead. (KNS)
Untoo and fair conduct of elections,” he said. Lashing out at police, Untoo said that arresting 700 youth tantamount to arresting 700 voters. “How come in a democratic setup authorities allow the “police-dictatorship”. This is a sheer violation of basic human rights,” Untoo said. The HR forum Chairman also castigated authorities for detaining vehicles in the name of security concern. “These methods are, in no way, justified to ensure the peaceful atmosphere in the valley. Instead such actions will contribute to the chaos and uncertainty in the valley,” he vowed. “The International Forum for Justice and Human Rights will not allow any kind of human rights violation from any sector of the administration and we will continue to raise our voice against such injustices taking place in the name of whatever conditions. We also urge administration to immediately release the youth in the better interest of peace in the valley,” Ahsaan Untoo added. (GNS)
Panic city’s Dalgate area where a lunch box was found lying on the road. On being checked, nothing was found in it. (GNS)
BJP We are thankful to Omar Sahib who had facilitated all formalities for our safe return to our homes in Valley but it was BJP and its allies in the state who sabotaged our return,” Raina said adding that a senior officer in revenue played a pivotal role in that sabotage. The KMRWS chairman also added that there is a section in BJP who are hell-bent to sabotage our return to valley. (KNS)
Fire broke out at Magnipora, Bandipora, resulting in damage to three residential houses. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders and police.
NC changed venue after supporters did not turn up in Pattan Pattan, April 29, CNS: Much embarrassment to the National Conference in Baramulla constituency on Tuesday, only few odd supporters of the party turned up to attend the election rally that was supposed to be addressed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The venue was later on changed on the instructions of Higher Education Minister and Omar Abdullah addressed few odd workers at the residence of former Member Parliament Abdul Rashid Shaheen. Eyewitnesses told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was supposed to address an election rally at Eidgah Pattan in North Kashmir. Reports said that the stage was set for the rally while police had made elaborative security arrangements in this regard. Sources told CNS that National Conference senior leader Muhammad Akbar Lone allegedly expressed anguish when he arrived at the venue amid tight security, as there were only few odd workers present there. Insiders said that Chief Minister was informed about the position and accordingly the rally was cancelled. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was taken to the residence of former Member Parliament and National Conference leader Abdul Rasheed Shaheen where Omar Abdullah addressed the workers in the precinct. A top police official said that he does not know anything about politics as their job was to secure and seal the venue, which they did efficiently. “We had deployed nine companies of government forces to ensure the smooth conduct of the rally,” he said. Minster for Higher Education Muhammad Akbar Lone told CNS that they did not change the venue but supporters wanted CM to visit Shaheen’s house. National Conference leader Abdul Rasheed Shaheen admitted that people did not turn up and the venue was changed at the last minute. He said stringent security arrangements were one of the reasons that common people did not show up at Eidgah Pattan. (CNS)
‘If there will be no rigging, there will be no NC’: Ansari Pattan, April 29, CNS: Peoples Democratic Party senior leader and MLA Pattan Molvi Iftikar Hussain Ansari Tuesday claimed that people of Pattan rejected National Conference by boycotting their election rally. He said that people did not attend the Chief Minister’s rally because common people of Pattan and its adjoining areas are facing tyranny and they are being suppressed on gun point. Ansari told CNS that ever since National Conference came to power in Jammu and Kashmir in 2008, people of Pal-
halan and Pattan were targeted, harassed, detained, and tortured on the behest of National Conference. “NC is a rejected lot and people abhor this party. On Tuesday, people did not attend NC rally and its only reason is that this party has been pursuing suppressive policies to muzzle the voice of the common people,” Ansari said adding that if people would vote and the elections are conducted with coercion, National Conference would automatically wiped out from the political map of Jammu and Kashmir. (CNS)
Compensate farmers for damages caused by recent snowfall, hailstorm: Tarigami ‘SKUAST prescribed fungicides not available in market’
Srinagar, Apr 29 (KNS): CPI (M) State Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has expressed dismay over government’s apathetic attitude for not surveying the damages caused to farmers due to untimely snowfall and hailstorm across the valley. The CPI (M) leader has also taken exception to non availability of fungicides in the market that are prescribed by the Shalimar Agriculture University. In a statement issued to KNS, Tarigami asserted that despite the fact that horticulture is the backbone of rural economy in J&K and more so in Kashmir valley; the state has not taken the fruit industry seriously and has not provided any incentives and support system to the fruit growers who are keeping the industry alive by their own efforts. “Not to talk of compensation, the farmers say that the government is yet to constitute teams for surveying the damages caused by the recent untimely and heavy snowfall in Kashmir. Besides the snowfall, the hailstorm has caused severe damages orchards and other standing crops
in south Kashmir particularly in Kulgam and Anantnag districts,” the CPI (M) leader said, while inviting attention of the administration. He said that in its various recommendations, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Shalimar had prescribed various fungicides but unfortunately these prescribed fungicides are not available to farmers in the market. “There is sheer negligence on part of the administration, regarding the availability of quality fertilizers and various agro-chemicals; urgently required by the orchardists of the Kashmir, as the new fruit season has already begun,” Tarigami remarked. The CPI (M) leader also asked the administration to keep available all the varieties of quality fertilizers in the required quantities in all the target areas and also maintain the supply of insecticides, fungicides and other such chemicals, without any further delay. “The concerned departments should ensure quality control since the spurious and even harmful fertilizers and chemicals are being sold in the market, the party affirmed.”
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Radia tapes: Supreme Court to first hear issue of right to privacy NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday segregated the issues of illegality and criminality arising out of the controversial taped conversations of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with others and decided to first hear right to privacy concern raised by then Tata chief Ratan Tata. A three-judge bench headed by Justice H L Dattu said it was of the view to segregate the issues in two parts as otherwise, it would be an unending exercise. The bench said in the first part it will hear the aspects concerning right to privacy i.e. right to privacy vis-a-vis government, right to privacy vis-a-vis press and right to know information. The bench also comprising justices J S Khehar and R K Agarwal said that the other issues with regard to Lone crimi-News Agency Kangan nality or illegality in awardGulzar News Agency Soura
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Khan News Agency Ganderbal Zahid Book Depot Chadoora Tariq News Agency Hawal Bashir News Agency Nowhatta Muzaffar Ali News Agency Alamgari Bazar Budshah News Agency Lal Chowk Abdullah News Agency Lal Chowk Sikendar News Agency Lal Chowk Gupkari News Agency Lal Chowk Raina News Agency Gund Kangan Khan News Agency Regal Chowk Rashid News Agency Dalgate Sheikh News Agency Hyderpora Hilal News Agency Budgam Lone News Agency Tangmarg Bhat News Agency Chadoora PATNA: A Muslim woman Gupta told AFP. mentary elections following BhatsheNews Agency Magam Zargar NewsofAgency in Jharkhand has alleged The victim, in her 30s, was the fatal gang-rape a studentKunzar was gang-raped by more Darthan Newspart Agency Beerwah Bashir News Agency of ‘minority’ wing of the on a New Delhi bus in Decem-Sumbal a dozen men because Reshi of herNews Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deber 2012, which touched off a Pattan Agency Safapora Saleem News Agency working for BJP in ongoing Lok signed to attract Muslim voters national debate about sexualPampore Basharat News Agency Bandipora Reyaz News Agency Sabha elections, police said on to the party. violence. NEW DELHI: Congress Altaf News Agency News Agency Tuesday. , who isPulwama leading the race ButJavaid fewer than a fifth of theQazigund leader Ahmed Patel on TuesThe woman has Jeelani filed a News Agency Baramulla G.M standing News Agency Sopore for PM’s post according to poll candidates for the BJP day asserted that the party, complaint with po- Shah News Agency Kupwara or the News ruling Agency CongressHandwara along with its allies, will get Sultan lice that a mob atparty are women, ac- absolute maYounis News Agency Langate Sheikh News Agency Islamabad tacked her in her cording to an analysis jority on May Three Tralsaying his home on Monday Reshi News Agency Islamabad by AFP.Way News Agency16, and also assaulted Turray News Agency Tral comment about Badru News Agency In the current Parlia-Bijbehara her 13-year-old Rahi News Agency Kulgam Congress’s ment women hold onlyArwani Malik News Agency daughter. Her hus11 per cent of seats in willingness to Rah News Agency Byepass Shaheen News Agency Kargil band was allegedly make sacrifices both houses.
Jharkhand woman alleges being gang-raped for helping BJP in LS polls
handcuffed during the attack. Anurag Gupta, a senior officer and spokesman for Jharkhand police, confirmed an investigation had started but said it was too soon to confirm her allegations of a political motive behind the attack.“An investigation from all angles is on and it is very difficult at present to say the exact reason behind the incident,”
surveys, has been attacked over the 2002 Gujarat riots. Despite criticism that he failed to contain the violence, he has been cleared of any personal wrongdoing. Women’s issues are high on the agenda in the parlia-
The victim in Monday’s assault also alleged the attackers fled with Rs 30,000 in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 200,000. Police inspector TN Singh in the police station closest to the victim’s home confirmed the gang-rape complaint to AFP.He said villagers had used the loudspeaker of the mosque to alert others to the assault, after which the attackers fled.
the “leak (of intercepted conversations of Radia with others) was not from the government’s side”. He also submitted that the government has already taken a stand that there is a right to privacy. In October last year, Ratan Tata had told the apex court that the tapped telephonic conversations between Radia and top politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen, including himself, were leaked to the media because of corporate rivalry. The conversations were recorded as part of surveillance of Radia’s phone on a complaint to the Finance Minister on November 16, 2007 alleging that within a span of nine years she had built up a business empire worth Rs 300 crore. The government had recorded 180 days of Radia’s conversations — first from August 20, 2008 for 60 days and then from October 19 for another 60 days. Later, on May 11, 2009, her phone was again put on surveillance for another 60 days following a fresh order given on May 8.
Ahmed Patel says remarks misunderstood, Congress will get majority
for secularism may have been misunderstood. “As we near the home stretch, we are getting confident of scoring a clear win and inflicting the third straight defeat on BJP,” said Patel, political secretary to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Patel had on Monday suggested in an in-
Blood donation camp organized at Budgam BUDGAM, APRIL 29: The NSS Wing of the College organized a Blood donation camp in collaboration with Government Degree Hospital, Budgam. The Principal, Government Sheikh-ul-Alam Memorial Degree College, Budgam, Prof. Tasneem Khan highlighted the importance of the blood donation towards the needy people and stressed the donors to donate the blood to save precious lives. The students of the College also donated the blood on the occasion with great enthusiasm. The camp was organized in a discipline manner by the NSS Wing of the College. The Incharge of the camp from Hospital appreciated the organization of the blood donation camp.
ing various contracts to private parties coming out in recorded conversations of one person with another will be taken by them after completing the first three issues relating to right to privacy. The bench made it clear that it will “not permit” the concerned parties to go beyond these issues. The bench said that it will hear from August 26-28 the issue of privacy. It also directed that the status report received by CBI in a sealed cover shall not be opened without court’s order. During the hearing, additional solicitor general L Nageswara Rao told the bench that
terview to TOI that Congress could support other ‘secular’ players in order to deny power to Narendra Modi, saying
his party would not flinch from making any sacrifice to keep “communal” forces at bay. On Tuesday, Patel clarified that the import of his statement did not appear to
have been fully appreciated, adding that he was underlining the party’s ideological position in “response to a hypothetical question”. “What is said was in response to a hypothetical question. As far as facts are concerned, we are confident of comfortably getting past the halfway mark along with our existing allies,” Patel said. “The feedback that we have been getting from our units across the country has been very encouraging, and shows that people have again seen through the BJP’s deception game,” he further said.
1200739 electorate to exercise franchise in 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency SRINAGAR, APRIL 29: Arrangements for conducting free, fair and impartial Lok Sabha Elections-2014 in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency for which polling is scheduled to be held on April 30, 2014 have been finalized. It is pertinent to mention that 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency comprises Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts consisting of total 15 Assembly segments including 08 in Srinagar, 05 in Budgam and 02 in Ganderbal districts respectively In this connection, the poll staff for the Constituency has been dispatched along with Electronic Voting Machines and other poll material. In Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, 14 candidates are in the fray which include Dr. Farooq Abdullah of National Conference, Tariq Hameed Kara of Peoples Democratic Party, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat of Bhartiya Janta Party, Mohammad Maqbool Malik of National Panthers Party, Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat of Aam Admi Party, Mushtaq Shamim of Akhil Bhartiya Muslim League and Aga Syed Mohsin. Besides, Bashir Mohd Reshi, Chetan Sharma, Rabia Altaf, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Abdul Rashid Tantary, Mohammad Shafi Guroo and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh are in the fray as independent candidates As many as 1200739 electors including 628522 male and 572217 female voters are going to exercise their franchise in 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency is. As many as 1546 polling stations have been set up in the 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.
Training of poll staff from April 30 to May 02 at Bandipora
Election training programme for Baramulla poll staff
BANDIPORA, APRIL 29: According to Electoral Registration Officer, Bandipora, the training programme for the poll staff of district Bandipora will be held on April 30, May 01 and May 02, 2014. As per the programme, the Presiding and Polling Officers of Bandipora Assembly segment will be imparted necessary training on May 01 and May 02, 2014 at Boys Higher Secondary School, Kaloosa whileas the poll staff in Gurez will be imparted training at Rest House Gurez on April 30, 2014. Similarly, the training programme for the poll staff of Sonawari Assembly segment will be held at Government Degree College, Sumbal on May 01 and May 02, 2014. All the Presiding and Polling Officers have been asked to ensure their presence in the training programme. They have also been asked to bring 2 passport size coloured photographs along with them on the date of training.
BARAMULLA, APRIL 29: According to the District Election Officer Baramulla, all the selected Presiding and Polling Officers are being provided necessary election training in four phases. The first phase of the programme would begin at 10 a.m on May 01, 2014. Under the training programme, polling personnel of Uri Assembly segment would be trained at Boys Higher Secondary School Uri while poll staff of Rafiabad Assembly segment at Boys Higher Secondary School, Sopore. The polling staff of Sopore Assembly segment would be trained at Boys Degree College, Sopore, poll staff of Sangrama Assembly segment would be trained at University Campus Delina Baramulla while poll personnel of Baramulla Assembly segment would be trained at Boys Degree College Baramulla. The poll staff of Gulmarg Assembly segment is going to be trained at Higher Secondary School Kunzar while poll staff of Pattan Assembly segment would be trained at Higher Secondary School Pattan.
Eos reviews poll preparedness in Gurez, Bandipora BANDIPORA, APRIL 29: The General Observer, Dr. S. Murali Krishna and Police Observer, Mr. M.A. Reddy accompanied by the Returning Officer, Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone and District Election officer, Bandipora, Dr. Shah Faisal today visited snow bound Gurez segment of Bandipora district and reviewed the overall election preparedness. The Observers during the visit were made aware about the arrangements made for the Parliamentary elections being conducted on May 07, 2014.
Lok Adalat settles 6 cases at Sumbal
BANDIPORA, APRIL 29: A Lok Adalat was held under the chairmanship of Chairperson, Tehsil Legal Services Committee, Sumbal, Ms. Farika Nazir at Court Complex Sumbal here today. As many as 12 cases of various natures were taken up during the Lok Adalat, out of which 6 cases were settled amicably.
30. 04 .2014
HOROSCOPE Aries
March 21-April 19
Don’t discount your ability to be extremely resourceful if you need to be, Aries. If you don’t have everything you need or all of the required information, take time to think. Who can you ask? What places can you access? Who might know where you can find what you need? Rather than panic because the pieces aren’t all there, instead make a list of contacts and go for it. Trust in yourself.
Taurus April 20-May 20
Try not to let today’s blues get you down, Taurus. While it’s true that some days can seem to drag on, the busier you are the faster time will pass. Get down to finishing any work still before you and then make plans for tonight. If there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, not only will things seem to speed up but you’ll feel better knowing it’s coming.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Dare to be different, Gemini. It can be so easy to fall into a drill. Sleeping at the same time, eating at the same time, wearing the same style, and going about work the same way day after day. Before you know it, you feel like you’re in a rut. The only way to get away from this is to make a decision to break free by doing something unique. Try a new haircut. Wear colors that are unusual for you. If the need is there, consider a new career. Pursue expansion.
Cancer June 22-July 22
If your lifestyle is considerably different than that of others, resist feeling self-conscience about it today, Cancer. Try to remember that you chose the life you have for specific reasons. Even if you’ve come to a point where you’re considering a change, there’s no need to feel badly, ashamed, or embarrassed about where you are now. Everyone has to make his or her own way. If this conforms to the norm, that’s fine. If it doesn’t, that’s fine, too.
Leo
July 23-August 22 An enhanced feeling of determination could motivate you today, Leo. Finish the things that aren’t complete and make some plans for this evening. Don’t hesitate to take on something that feels complicated or big. Chances are you’ll be able to handle most anything and it will feel great when it’s finished. Enjoy your day by making the most of opportunity.
Virgo
August 23-September 22
Feeling the effects of today’s energies, Virgo? Take heart if this is the case, because the end of the tunnel isn’t as far away as it seems. Do your best to take things one step at a time and see about making some plans for a little fun this evening. Get together with friends or take in a movie. Help yourself feel better by staying busy and focused and follow up with some recreation. Before you know it, the aspect will pass and you’ll be back to normal.
Libra
September 23-October 23 Consider making some plans for a vacation or short getaway, Libra. Looking forward to something fun can make even the toughest of days far easier to handle. You’ll be amazed how much you can manage when there’s an end in plain sight. Your entire attitude can lighten. So take the bull by the horns and create an incentive for yourself. Do something special to reward the hard work you do day after day.
Scorpio October 24-November 21 Don’t judge someone if he or she has a different lifestyle than what you consider to be OK, Scorpio. You probably lean toward the traditional, yet not everyone feels this way about relationships, working, or lifestyle. While it may seem impossible to understand and even frighten you, try not to be too harsh on those you deem odd. You’d be better off using that energy to keep your own life on track.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Friends seeking advice or a shoulder to cry on could be plentiful today, Sagittarius. You’re one of best people to give them the support and care they need. Just be sure that you don’t give so much to others that you don’t have anything left for yourself. True friendship is about sharing and the exchange of problems and help. Running yourself down will leave you in a place where you aren’t going to be much help to anyone.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Getting through today shouldn’t pose too big a problem for you, Capricorn. You may feel a huge second wind that can give you the drive and determination to see your chores and projects through. Make some plans for this evening, such as getting together with friends or taking in an event that really intrigues you. Until then, go about your tasks bit by bit. You’ll get things finished before you know it.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Working within boundaries and restrictions could really get to you today, Aquarius. Yours is an independent spirit and your best achievements are often born of doing things your own way. Yet like it or not, we all have to follow guidelines and rules. Do your best to follow suit and finish what needs to be done. Afterward, you may find more freedom to act independently without consequences. Exercise patience and diligence as needed today.
Pisces
February 19-March 20 Chances are that you’ll feel upbeat and positive today, Pisces. Consider sharing this energy with those around you who are feeling less than content. Your attitude can have a profound effect on friends, partners, spouses, and children. Even neighbors and extended family can pick up on your spirit without you even realizing it. Share your optimism with everyone you can today. If you see someone hurt or angry.
Daily Daily Daily
EDITORIAL / OPINION OPINION EDITORIAL / Editorial/Opinion
Zabarwan Zabarwan Times Times ZABARWAN TIMES
Srinagar, Wednesday 30 April 2014 Srinagar, Sunday 0901February 2014 Wednesday, January 2013
The Daily
Hurling of abuses and foul language - Times harmful Zabarwan for democracy Wednesday, 01 January 2013
Protecting Wildlife Isolation-The silent killer
T T
An Empowered Consumer is an Asset to the Nation
he elections to the 16th Lok Sabha have enimalayan range is not only tered into final phase onsumer Protection Act, was only Act of its kind in India, it has enabled Grahak Jago’ has carved out a niche for mosthere fascinating & specis one Punjabi sayingenacted in 1986. The Consumer ordinary consumers to secure less expensive itself. For the 12th plan an allocation of Rs. but what hasabeen witProtection Act provides for and often speedy redressal of their griev- 409.29 crores has been made. tacular also natural “Godbut may not even leave a nessed during the polleffective safeguards to ances. The Act mandates establishment of Consumer Welfare Fund wonder of tree the earth thethat consumers against various alone”which It is a isfact types of Consumer Protection Councils at the Centre The Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 (1 of ing process is really unfortunate richest in lone habitat treesofinanimal desert life. dry up exploitations and unfair dealings, relying as well as in each State and District, with a 1944) was amended in 1991 to enable the andthird uncalled for as the leadon compensatory rather than a view to promoting consumer awareness. Central Government to create the Consumer One mammal soon thanof thethe one's in densespecies forest. If it mainly disciplinary or preventive approach. The provisions of this Act cover ‘goods’ as Welfare Fund where the money, which is not ers of different political parties are lapthen of Himalayan is living the caseinofthe a tree how can a man With a large consumer base of 1.27 billion ( well as ‘services’. The goods are those refundable to the manufacturers etc., is have stooped too low and have mountain range. Jammu & Kashmales and 48% females) constituting which are manufactured or produced and credited. The money credited to the Fund is live all alone as by nature he is a social 52% nearly 17.31% of the world’s population, the sold to consumers through wholesalers and to be utilized by the Central Government for crossed all the limitations of a mir has During varietylifetime of geographical animal. we experience demography of Indian consumer shows an retailers. The services are in the nature of the welfare of the consumers in accordance civilizedclimate society by using filthy regions, problems at one and stagevegetation or the other. interesting pattern pointing towards a young transport, telephone, electricity, housing, with the Rules framed. The fund has been set consumer base which believes in market banking, insurance, medical treatment, etc. up by the Department of Revenue, but the and abusive language which are a delight to theagainst wildThose are the critical moments, we mechanism. 30 % of the population lives in A written complaint, can be filed before the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and life enthusiasts and tourists. The each other. The campaigning need supporting system to share adver- urban areas and the rest in rural. The D i s t r i c t C o n s u m e r F o r u m f o r Public Distribution will operate it.The richness of Himalayan range is a has seen different parties expositself is a major challenge for any goods/services valued upto Rs.20 lakh, State overall objective of the consumer Welfare sities and emotional crisis. The joint diversity consumer protection regime. Commission for value upto Rs one crore and Fund is to provide financial assistance to boon for the state economy. But ing each other by even indulging The Constitution of India provides for the National Commission for value above promote and protect the welfare of the family system used to tackle such kind unfortunately with the inof personal attacks andpopulaexhibof rights of an individual and also Rs one crore, in respect of defects in goods or consumers and strengthen the voluntary problems veryrampant smoothly.poachMan was protection tion explosion, enjoins the State to adhere to the Directive deficiency in service. The service can be of consumer movement in the country iting videos and photographs notshrinking left to face the gust of violent winds Principles. The source of consumer rights any description and the illustrations given particularly in the rural areas. ing, forests due to conwhich usually they have avoided in the Fundamental Rights enshrined in above are only indicative. However, no Consumer Clubs which would snatch is away all his trea- lies struction, wildlife depleting our constitution. The Consumer Protection complaint can be filed for alleged deficiency This scheme was launched in 2002, and without which the poll camsuresfast. of emotions it. But in mod- Act provides for protection of the basic in any service that is rendered free of charge according to which a consumer club shall be very Out have of with 15 been prominent paign would taken or under a contract of personal service. set up in each Middle/High/Higher ern times, the nuclear family owsystem rights of a consumer. wild life species unluckily Consumer Movement in India The remedy under the Consumer Protection Secondary school/college affiliated to a tohas itsleft logical end. One does not everybody in lurch. Thefive work- Though the consumer movement in India is Act is an alternative in addition to that government recognized Board/University. ing to human interference understand what these leaders ing couple to go through critia strenu- as old as the trade and commerce, yet, there already available to the aggrieved per- This scheme has been decentralised and species havehas been declared are leaving as their legacy for was no systematic movement in the country sons/consumers by way of civil suit. In the transferred to the Governments of ous endangered routine in order to run theHanfamily. cally including for safeguarding the interests of consumers complaint/appeal/petition submitted under States/UTs with effect from 1.04.2004. All the future generations who will gul, Musk Deer, Markhor, Snowwith till the Consumer Protection Act was the Act, a consumer is not required to pay interested NGO/VCOs shall apply to the They become machines to coup definitely try to forget this The kind in 1986, based on the United any court fees but only a nominal fee. Nodal Officer in the Food, PD & Consumer Leopard and Brown the fast and lonely livesBear. unable to give enacted Nations guidelines with the objective of Consumer Fora proceedings are summary in Welfare Department of the respective of criticism against each other. forest area, the natural proper attention and carehabitat to theirof chil- providing better protection of consumers’ nature. The endeavour is made to grant relief States/UTs. The overall campaigning has not wild animals, is being encroached d r e n w h i c h t h e y n e e d m o s t . interests. The Act applies to all goods and to the aggrieved consumer as quickly as in Promoting Research services unless specifically exempted, and the quickest possible, keeping in mind the This scheme has been launched with a view been in a good taste and has left byConsequently, human habitation which the children too inadjust covers private, public, and cooperative provisions of the Act which lay down time to sponsor research and evaluation studies in behind scars of personal vencludes construction of the roads, sectors and provides for speedy and schedule for disposal of cases. If a consumer the field of consumer welfare to provide themselves according to present adjudication. The Act also is not satisfied by the decision of a District solution to the practical problems being detta against each other. There buildings, industrial houses, tunenvironment and remain aloof which inexpensive provides for setting up of Consumer Forum, he can appeal to the State faced by the consumers, to sponsor were earlier also poll campaigns nels, railway tracks & in sense less Councils to promote consumer welfare. The Commission. Against the order of the State seminars/workshops/ conferences on the makes them an Island themselves. during different elections but Act seeks to promote and protect the Commission a consumer can come to the consumer related topics, and to have felling of trees. All these factors Being depressed, they do not move out, following six rights of the consumers: National Commission. necessary inputs for the formulation of never in the past people pose threat toplay wild life mixa potential with friends orhave outdoor · The right to be protected against marketing Government Initiatives policy/programme/scheme for the protecand a number wild life species seen such anofthey indecent atmoof goods and services which are hazardous · ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ Though the consumer tion and welfare of the consumers. The games. Instead shut themselves to life and property; movement is slowly gaining ground in our Indian Institute of Public Administration, are vanishing with every passing sphere polluted by vulgarity within the four walls of the house. With · The right to be informed about the quality, country as the success of consumer New Delhi, has been identified as the nodal day. Besides this the use of pesand all sorts of immoral attacks the advent of technology, they confine quantity, potency, purity, standard and price movement mainly depends upon the level of organization to administer the scheme. ticides forother. agriculture and are hortiof goods and services, as the case may be, to consumer awareness generated in the National Consumer Helpline on each Elections the themselves to computers and play protect the consumer against unfair trade country by educating the consumers about A National Consumer Helpline project has culture purposes contaminated first step towards achieving the practices; their rights and responsibilities. Within India been established in collaboration with Delhi games using few buttons. They cannot water adds to this tragedy every · The right to be assured of access to a variety itself, the level of consumer awareness University, Department of Commerce. goal of democratic values which attain thecontaminated thrill and spirit of outdoor of goods and services at competitive prices; varies from State to State depending upon Consumers can call from anywhere in India day. The water inhelp to run the government by · The right to be heard and assured that the level of literacy and the social awareness to the number 1XXX-XX-4000 from games. Face to face interaction is must creases toxicity in the animals afor majority vote and the aspiraconsumer interest will receive due consider- of the people. Educating more than 120 MTNL/BSNL lines free of charge and get healthy growth of children. But ation at appropriate forums; and results in ailment which crores people of various categories of advice regarding their problem as a tions of the general masses. But today untimely the childrendeath engrossed in their · The right to seek redressal against unfair or population, particularly those in rural areas consumer. The Helpline has been formally causes of birds, when indecency and vulgarity trade practices or unscrupulous where consumers are more susceptible to launched on 15.3.2005 on the World own fantasy world either sleep for restrictive fish and animals. The shrinking exploitation of consumers; exploitation, on various subject matters of Consumer Rights Day and is functional on enters together this process thelivewhole orruthless love to in con- · The right to consumer education. ofhours forest cover by cutting consumers interests being dealt by different all working days from 9.30 A.M to 5.30 P.M. atmosphere becomes hazy,comfort volThe Consumer Protection Act Ministries / Departments, is a herculean CORE Centre fined area which they name of trees, timber smuggling and The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 lays task. For the 11th plan the scheme has The Consumer Online Resources and atile beyond ones pazone.and Thisgoes kind lifemain style is making other factors areof the cause down the rights of the consumers and received an allocation of Rs. 409 crores to Empowerment Centre has been conceived tience. We are living in Social the 21st of deathdepressed of animals they do not them andaslazy. con- provides for promotion and protection of the launch an effective Multi- Media campaign. to function as the most scientific and century and are expected to be get sufficient and therefore nectivity givesfood us strength to face any rights of the consumers. The first and the The scheme under the brand name of ‘Jago effective system of collection, disseminamost civilized decent in our die of starvation. kind of adverseand situation as friendship behavior. But in than this the elections Though World Wildlife Fund is bonds are thicker relations. we have not come to the expecmaking outproved efforts that to save Studiesall have the the cancer tations and have only created anor endangered species by includpatients having friends, peer group illrelations, will against each other which ing them into Red Book, survive for Data a longer period can in future turn in hostilities the state government must also than the one's who have not friends or take care of the and animosities which habitat will be relations, feel dim,natural dejected, unwanted, of these endangered species. TheIt very harmful the society. crib and curse for suffer from delusion, duty of the that concerned departishallucination expected during elecand die soon.the These days t is a common belief that gold is as Below Poverty Level [BPL] was dispensed began depositing Rs 25 in the common ment does not end by organizing tions one party presents its manminor children or adolescents are dear to women, as a son to a mother. with and replaced by a process of participa- pool, with an aim to take benefit of its some functions duringand wildlife ifesto, programmes plans Same is true for a girl from village tory identification of the poor [PIP]. This lending facility so that she could buy the suffering from from adopted isolation which Lar of district Ganderbal, some 30 week starting 2nd October which outcreated shadow other The par-old kms from Srinagar. they have themselves. In her early twenties, but constant and effective mea‘Umeed’ project, an initiative of the ty’s manifesto and programmes Ruksana, too nursed a desire to wear gold generation too are also facing the same sures should be made by wildlife ear-rings. Coming from a poor family – her but it does not allow to decades, come problem. During the lastus two father a daily-wager and she herself National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), protection staff. They should be down to the level of abusing each earning a few hundred per month through tremendous changes took place which given advanced training in pro– their monthly earnings was other exposing each other’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) started to function forcedand young generation to move out of knitting tecting the wildlife. Apart from hardly enough to meet the family expenses. family problems and feuds in valley for earningcampaigns their livelihood. this awareness, mustThe So to save money that could fetch her in Lar block of Ganderbal and few other golden ear-rings seemed like a herculean the public. Everybody has his parents were left alone in sprawling beold initiated to create conscioustask. In June this year, as part of Centreprivate life the andpeople it should not be bungalows with pain beyond expressponsored ‘Umeed’ project, an initiative of ness among regarding areas of State, with an aim to alleviate disturbed and nobody should the National Rural Livelihoods Mission sion. they survived the sup- (NRLM), the fallBut of the number ofwith wildlife Self Help Groups (SHGs) started poke his nose insome it. Elections do poverty, particularly among women. And port of neighbourhood or friends and to function in Lar block of Ganderbal and species. Though clubs have not mean scuffles andnumber abuses,is it few other areas of State, with an aim to been set up but their relations. For social connectivity, there by the end of June, Lar block was alleviate poverty, particularly among means a democratic and a civinegligible the magniought to in be view nearbyof public libraries, women. And by the end of June, Lar block lized way toproblem. elect our representude of theclubs, recreation parks orMoreover the old homes was successfully running 246 SHGs successfully running 246 SHGs having having 10-12 women per group. Each tatives. If the representatives of the poachers andpeople wood can smugglers where these old sit together woman of the Self Help Group made a the whobonds represent them 10-12 women per group. should be severely punished so weekly contribution of not less than Rs 25 andpeople feel the of friendship. to a common pool, from where they could inHowever the highest called parthat a strong message across lack ofform suchgoes facilities leave borrow money. cleared the decks for constitution of 90,000 much sought after ear rings. that will tolerated liament, likebegoons, themnothing to behave live in isolation andwhat die in As a special case for Jammu and Kashmir, Self Help Groups and enrolment of nine lakh The Central Government also extended all against the destruction of forests can be expected of common peothe Union Government relaxed the norms of rural women in the State. Ruksana also professional assistance for the success of isolation. the Umeed project and the criterion of the enrolled in one of the SHGs in Lar block and the Umeed project by deploying Primary and forest life. ple who choose them.
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tion and redressal of consumer related information and complaints. It was launched on the World Consumer Day i.e. on 15th March, 2005. Consumers can now register their complaints in the CORE Centre through the website www.core.nic.in. They can also have access to wealth of information regarding Consumer issues through this website. State Consumer Welfare Fund States/UTs have to set up their own Consumer Welfare Fund by making a onetime contribution of an amount proportionate to the number of districts, by the Centre (Department of Consumer Affairs) and the State Government in the ratio 50:50 (Centre : State). In case of special category States, like North Eastern States, Sikkim, J&K, Uttaranchal A&N Islands and Lakshdweep the ratio will be 90:10 (Centre : State). National Consumer policy Increased global trade and the development of Internet have provided new opportunities for consumers, leading to new forms of unfair and unethical business practices. With the change in the global scenario and the market dynamics the consumers have also changed. Children and young adults and women – who often lack experience as consumers – are more significant forces in markets, as are the growing number of older adults who sometimes face unique marketplace challenges. This requires consumer protection authorities to be more vigilant and active. The sophistication of retail markets is increasing the role of consumers. The greater empowerment of consumers has also led to greater responsibilities for them to manage their own affairs. Here comes the need to make suitable policy prescriptions to protect consumer rights. The draft National Consumer policy envisages to promote the rights and interests of consumers and ensure a high level of consumer protection, contributing to protecting the health, safety and economic interests of consumers as well as promoting their right to information, education and to organise themselves to safeguard their interests. It will endeavour to achieve effective implementation of various consumer welfare schemes through progressive consumer related legislations and active participation of all stakeholders; Central and State Governments, academic and research institutions, schools and colleges, voluntary consumer organizations and civil society, business and above all the consumers themselves to create an effective consumer movement in the country. An empowered consumer is an asset to the nation and therefore today, it is widely acknowledged that the level of consumer awareness and protection is one of the major indicators of development in any country.
‘UMEED’ Rekindles Desire for Better Life Resource Persons from Andhra Pradesh in J&K to train the local girls and women. Pertinently, SHGs are a success story in Andhra Pradesh running since 1950. As a positive development, 246 SHGs in Lar block made a whopping saving of Rs 6,97868 from June 2013 to September 2013 and disbursed Rs 3,34,250 in internal lending to the depositors. Ruksana, while taking benefit of the internal lending, took a loan of Rs 10,000 in August to buy gold ear-rings. Flaunting her priced possession she said “It is all because of SHGs that I could buy the golden ring. I thank the Government for this,” The Central Government has sanctioned an amount of Rs 7,500 crore for J&K under NRLM. The scheme is launched in the State with an increased allocation from Rs 110 crore to Rs 755 crore. With the allocation for the current year being about Rs 30.38 crore. A special emphasis is to be given to two-third of the families in the State under the ambit of the scheme with the target of 90,000 women Self Help Groups over a period of five years. Officials said there is special dispensation of allocating the funds on the pattern of 90:10 (Centre-state share) whereas in the rest of the country it is on the pattern of 75:25.
Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer.
Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer