NC support to NCTC exposes it again: Mehbooba
‘Morally weak Abdullahs crawling where others would not bend’
Srinagar Mar 19 (VOS): Reiterating its strong opposition to the creation of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), a centrally controlled arrangement to fight terror, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said the National Conference had once again shown its “anti people colors while voting for the new mechanism.”
The four members of National conference in the Lok Sabha today voted along with the government in support of NCTC even as a major UPA component Trinamool Congress walked out in protest against the order.
Responding to the “newest betrayal of the NC against the people of Jammu and Kashmir” party president Mehbooba Mufti alleged the NC of hoodwinking the people in the name of plebiscite and autonomy for more than six decades had once again come out in its true colors by supporting a measure that further erodes the authority of the states.
NCTC will have powers to arrest anyone anywhere without taking state government into confidence on suspicion of involvement in terror or conduct searches and seizures and is opposed by ten chief ministers of the country and many political parties.
“NC is behaving like the proverbial devil quoting scriptures within the state by talking of autonomy and revocation of laws like AFSPA while remaining busy in importing more such laws as would finish last remnants of authority with the state and expose its people to worse excesses. The latest stance of NC was reminiscent of Dr Farooq Abdullah’s government being the first state to enforce the POTA in Jammu and Kashmir,” the PDP president said.
She claimed NCTC would make any talk by NC of revoking AFSPA even more ridiculous and hollow than it already was sounding.
Referring to the “everyday scams tumbling out of NC cupboard” Mehbooba said as the ruling party’s “sins and crime” catch up with it, Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah are increasingly finding comfort  into the lap of their ‘saviors’ in Delhi to seek survival in power.
“This is an extremely dangerous situation for the state as the ruling family, weakened morally by crime and corruption, are selling out the interests of the state one after the other to stay in power,” she cautioned.
Mehbooba said as new dimensions of the “broad-day light robbery” in the JK Cricket Association are coming to light in spite of government pressure on police to hush it up, “Dr Farooq is feeling more insecure about his position in the UPA and is obviously crawling where other leaders in his position would not even bend.”
“With the kind of his involvement established against Dr Farooq, any other person would have been behind bars as would have been the case with the suspicious death of Haji Yusuf and the bribery for MLC and ministerial jobs. But the family is trying to save itself by giving out everything whether it is state’s authority, the security and self respect of its people, its water resources or the institutions like the J&K Bank,” she alleged.
“One only hopes the people of the state finally see through the duplicity and cunning of the National Conference and refuse to fall into its trap ever again,” Mehbooba added.


NC ridicule Mehbooba on showing concern for Srinagar
Accuses Mufti of bulldozing city when he was CM
Srinagar, Mar 19 (VOS): Ridiculing Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti’s recent statement blaming National Conference for ignoring the City, several legislative members of the ruling party shot back at her Monday saying, “Mehbooba sheds crocodile tears to mislead people”
“Mehbooba’s tactics wont work in Srinagar as the people of the summer capital know it fully as who ruined their life and gifted their share of employment to their favorite  people hailing from Kupwara, Islamabd, Shopian, Tangmarg and Ghanderbal,” the NC legaslaitors in a joint statement to VOS said.
They reminded Mehbooba as how her father Mufti Mohammad Syed during his tenure as Chief Minster ‘bulldozed’ the shops and streets of the city and brought ‘destruction’ on the streets of Srinagar.
“PDP government not only brought havoc in Srinagar as political vendetta but also conspired to shift the capital to Parihaspora which was foiled by the brave Srinagarites,’’ the NC legislators claimed.
They said that during their six years opposition tenure, NC made every effort to oppose the government’s move of ignoring city.
The NC legislators alleged that PDP workers were involved in stone pelting incidents. “PDP loyalists were at fore front during the stone pelting in Wachi, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Pahalgam, Bijbehara, Pampore and other areas which was even acknowledged by L K Advani. A youth PDP leader in Islamabad was shot at by police during stone pelting which is a glaring example how PDP was instigating the people,” they claimed.




3-day seminar on Women`s writing begins in KU
Srinagar, Mar 19 (VOS): A 3-day national seminar on “Women`s Writing: Language, Literature and Theory” organised by Department of English started at University of Kashmir here on Monday.
In his presidential address, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof. Talat Ahmad while dismissing the view of some writers and novelists on women writing said, “I don’t believe what writers like V S Naipaul say about women writers when they remark that women have a narrow world-view but as a student of research and science and from what experience has taught me I can say that women are equally far-sighted and creative as men  in all areas of life be it scientific research or English literature.”  
He said there is 50 percent participation of women in the KU campus in both academic and scientific areas of research which implies that human minds are similarly structured with potentials for language, reason, faith (including the capacity to embrace contradictions) and appreciation of logic and beauty.
While felicitating and distributing souvenirs amongst former women teachers of the department of English University of Kashmir, Prof Talat said, “It is great to see that the department of English is honoring its former teachers and academicians on the occasion and this felicitation is an acknowledgement of the work and contribution of our teachers in taking the institution to great heights.”
Earlier, welcoming the participants and guests head of the department of English and Seminar Director Prof Lily Want while presenting a profile of the department of English said, “The department evaluates the curriculum on a regular basis so as to prepare our students to face growing challenges in the market-oriented industry and keeping this thing in mind we have decided to introduce a PG diploma in spoken English.”
“The department has produced 20 M. Phil scholars and 14 PhD scholars in the last five years and during the same period the department facilitated the job-placements of 40 students in different colleges and universities across the country as teachers and researchers,” she added.
In his keynote address Prof Badri Raina, former Professor of English, Delhi University while referring to a research done by United Nations said, “Despite of this so-called women emancipation and liberal world view in present times UN statistics show that women all over the world own a mere two percent of the assets which implies that women have not been denied their literary space only but economic as well.”
Registrar KU, Prof S. Fayaz, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof A M Shah, Controller examination Prof A S Bhat, deans of various faculties, professors, teachers and students from various departments of the university were present during the inaugural session. Six papers were presented during the inaugural day of the seminar in two sessions.



Literary function organized in RK
Srinagar, Mar 19 (VOS): Sahitya Academy New Delhi and Commercial Broadcasting Service organized an extraordinary literary function in the Auditorium of Radio Kashmir Srinagar.
In a statement to VOS Deputy Secretary of the Academy, Renu Mohan Bhan said, “The function was presided by Director Doordarshan, Shami Shair while Doctor Aziz Hajini and Rukhsana Jabeen were also present on the occasion.”
Prof Mohammad Zama Azruda, Shujhat Bukhari, Bashir Budgami, Mohammad Ashraf Tak, Shamshad Kralwari and Dr Ratan Lal presented their papers on the occasion.
On the occasion, Hajini announced that first international Kashmiri Conference would be held in Srinagar in August this year.


Sanction of 12 new hospital projects for JK
Irfan Naqib hails Azad
Srinagar, Mar 19 (VOS):  Senior Youth Congress leader, Irfan Naqib, Monday hailed Union Minister for Health, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s for sanctioning 12 new hospital projects for Jammu and Kashmir
Addressing party workers in Zadibal and Hazratbal areas, he said, “Azad sahib always wants development for the state. For that he is at forefront whether he is in center or when he was Chief Minister of the state.”
The estimated cost of these projects is Rs 232.00 crore and as a first installment the Union Health Ministry has released Rs 45.00 crore.
However, Naqib appealed Azad to personally monitor the projects so that the money is utilized properly. He also appealed Azad to intervene so that condition of hospitals in the Valley can be improved. “
Two maternity hospitals, one each for Jammu and Srinagar have been sanctioned by the Union Health Ministry over and above the resource entitlement of the state.
The projects which have been sanctioned are District hospital at Samba, Pulwama and Bandipora. The Sub-District Hospitals are Akhnoor, Gundoh, R S Pura, Bishnah, Banihal, Kangan, Hajin, Pahalgam and Chanapora.
Pertinently six newly sanctioned hospitals fall in Jammu division and six in Kashmir.



Agriculture Minister calls on Guv
Jammu, Mar 19 (VOS): Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir called on Governor N N Vohra, at Raj Bhavan here this evening.
During their meeting, the Governor and the Agriculture Minister discussed various important matters relating to the diversification of agriculture with a view to encourage cultivation of low volume-high value crops, the promotion of dairy and poultry farming, cultivation of vegetables and enhancing production and productivity of food grains and other crops. The measures being taken for providing technical know-how, high yielding variety seeds and other agricultural inputs to the growers in the State, were also discussed.
Other important issues relating to the rapid socio-economic development of the State also came up for discussion during the meeting.





3 Police Training School Kathua recruits suspended
Kathua, Mar 19 (VOS): The Police authorities have suspended three trainees and ordered departmental action against the instructor following a tiff in the Police Training School Kathua last evening.
As per Police spokesperson, on 18.03.2012 after evening Roll Call all the trainees went to their respective Barracks. Later on there was a scuffle between two trainees namely Constable Imran Habib and Sabir Hussain over switching off the light. Other two trainee constables Aijaz and Arshad tried their best to pacify the duo. The matter was brought to the notice of Instructor Constable Parshotam Singh No. 899/P, SG.CT Muneer Hussain No. 583/IRP 4th and Constable Romal Singh No. 894/IRP 8th Bn. Instructor Constable Parshotam Singh and SG.CT Muneer Hussain could not tackle the issue properly under the laid down norms and procedures as a result the trainees started protesting against the Staff of Police Training School.
District Administration including Deputy Commissioner and Sr. Superintendent of Police Kathua rushed to Police Training School well in time to pacify the situation and agitating recruit constables and tried their best not to allow the situation to flare up.
Farooq Khan IPS, DIG Jammu Kathua Range also joined and took the stock of situation. The injured trainee constables were shifted to District Hospital for First Aid. Later on the agitating trainees went to the barracks peacefully.
Today morning Senior Officers from Jammu reached Police Training School Kathua and held a Darbar of Trainees to listen to their grievances. The trainees complained to take stern action against the instructors for grave misconduct and consuming alcohol while on duty. Subsequently three trainees were placed under suspension and departmental action against the Instructors was ordered.




Director Agriculture Kashmir flags Off
‘Mobile Seed Distribution Van’
Srinagar, Mar 19 (VOS): In yet other farmers’ friendly measures, the Department of Agriculture Kashmir has started “Mobile Seed Distribution Service” in Valley today. This initiative is aimed to ensuring timely availability of quality seeds to the farmers at their door-steps. First Mobile Seed Distribution Van flagged off at Agriculture Complex Lal Mandi today by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Dr. Farooq A. Lone, in which certified seeds of Potato, Paddy, Vegetables and Hybrid Maize were dispatched to villages of Baramulla and Budgam Districts, namely Aager, Magam & adjacent villages.
On this occasion, Director Agriculture Kashmir said that Agriculture Department is working in coordination with farmers for making State self-sufficient in various food crops and Department is committed for economic upliftment of farmers. He advised farmers to project their requirements to the field functionaries of the department, so that plan is formulated as per needs at ground level. The Mobile Seed Distribution Van will also be sent to other Districts of the Valley, where the sale centres of the Department are not available. For requirement of seeds the farmers are advised to contact Incharge Seed Distribution A.R. Samoon on Mobile No.: 9419002397.





Attention qualified unemployed persons
Baramulla, Mar 19 (VOS): According to District Social Welfare Officer, Baramulla, the applications on plain papers have been invited from qualified unemployed persons for temporary engagement of part time teachers for 6th to 8th classes for imparting coaching in English, Math and Science subjects in Government Boys Pahari Hostel at Kanth Bag Baramulla.
The applications should reach to District Social Welfare Officer, Baramulla within 7 days from the date of publication of the notification in the daily newspapers.
One post of part time teacher for 6 months (non-medical), one post of part time teacher MA or MA B.Ed in English for 6 months, one post of part time physical education teacher/instructor having a qualification of BP Ed/CP Ed for 6 months. The applicants must be residing in district Baramulla. Preference shall be given to the residents of the town or more candidates who are living within 5 km circumferences of the hostel.
Applications attached with attested copies of qualification certificates shall have to be deposited in the office of the District Social Welfare Office, Baramulla or Assistant Warden, Boys Pahari Hostel Kanth Bagh, Baramulla during office hours

This was stated by the Minister in reply to a question by Jagdish Raj Sapolia in Legislative Assembly here today. He said way side amenity, fencing and land scapping have been completed at a cost of Rs. 42.72 lakhs at Thein.
The Minister said that water sports activities is being promoted in Ranjit Sagar Dam Basohli, for the purpose, he said that creation of necessary infrastructure and training to local youth remained priority of the government. He said to hold the water drafting event in the area under private sector, the tenders would be re-floated at the earliest.



Kissan Melas to be organized at Panchayat level: Mir
Spice park for Saffron marketing at Pampore on anvil
Jammu, Mar 19 (VOS): Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir has said to educate farmers about modern techniques of farming and provide them better marketing opportunities of agriculture produce, the Kissan Melas and agriculture awareness camps would be now organized at panchayat levels. He said a spice park would be developed at Pampore for providing marketing facilities to the Saffron growers.
This was stated by the Minister in response to the supplementaries asked by legislators Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo M. Y. Tarigami, Sukhnandan, Jugal Kishore and Balwant Singh Mankotia to a question by Ashwani Sharma in Legislative Assembly here today. He said that the government has introduced a policy under which agriculture technocrats engaged on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Zirat would be regularized.
The Minister said that government has taken several initiatives for promotion of agriculture production in the state. He said farmers training camps, field school, kissan melas, kissan ghosthies, farmer- scientists interaction, exposure visits outside state, distribution of literature besides providing subsidies on agriculture inputs and equipments are some initiatives taken by the government for upliftment of farming community of the state. He said that due care is being given for development of agriculture produce in Jammu district also. He said strict action would be taken against the concerned if any found involved for purchase and supply of substandard chemical fertilizers.
Replying to another question by Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo, the Minister said that under RKVY four ropeways would be constructed in Kishtwar area at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.49 crore, adding that these ropeways would be constructed at Sohal to Chitto, Gulab Garh to Ligri, Sohal to Ungai and Sohal to Kabban for lifting of their farm products to the main road. He said for the purpose tendering process has been taken up by R&B department.


Attackers of Peer Jalal coward miscreants: Khan
Srinagar, Mar 19 (VOS): Condemning the attack on Peer Jalal-ul- Din of Batamalo, senior Hurriyat Conference (M) leader and National Front
Chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan appealed all sections of society to raise their voice against such inhuman act so that the negative trend of attacking religious people can be discouraged in the first instance.
Khan today visited SKIMS to see injured Peer Jala-Ul-Din who is undergoing treatment after he was attacked by unknown gunmen outside his house Saturday night.
He prayed for his speedy recovery. Khan in a statement called the attackers of Peer Jala-Ul-Din as coward miscreants whose act has injured hundreds of hearts.
Expressing deep anger he said that the ghost of unknown gunmen has once again started it’s activities in Kashmir and this time even religious leaders are also under their attack.
Khan in his statement has appealed all sections of the society to raise their voices against such inhuman acts so that the trend of attacking religious People can be discouraged.


Minhaj-ul-Islam condemns attack on Peer Jalaludin
Srinagar, Mar 19 (VOS): Renowned and respectable Chief Patron of Dawat-e-Minhaj-ul-Islam, Moulana Alama Naqeeb has condemned the murderous attack on Moulana Peer Jalaludin at his residence Batamaloo. Moulana Naqeeb, in a statement, said this attack is in a series of attacks made earlier on the life of respectable Aalmi Din Moulalna Dawoodi, Khan and recently at Saraibala on the occasion of celebrations of Dastageer Sahib Urs Sharief.
He said such elements who are behind this cowardice attack should realize that Kashmiris are annoyed and angry on such attacks. 
The Batmaloo incident and the subsequent condemnation of attack on Jalaludin is enough for such elements to understand the wrath of people.  Moulana Naqeeb appealed the Government, Police as well as all those who are responsible in maintaining mutual unity and brotherhood to bring these attackers before the public within shortest possible time.

Malik disburses Rs 63 lakh among unemployed youth
Srinagar,Mar19(VOS): Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment Mr. Abdul Gani Malik today reiterated government’s resolve to solve unemployment crisis by speeding up implementation process of self-employment schemes launched by government from time to time.
The Minister was addressing valedictory function of Employment Fair at Gulshan Chowk Bandipora today organized by Employment and Counseling Centre (ECC) of the district after 23 years.
He said that the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah is personally supervising the pace of progress registered by various departments concerned with implementation of self-employment schemes. He said that Sher-i-Kashmir Employment Welfare Policy (SKEWP) is aimed at strengthening the unit holders as well as other unemployed educated youth connected with the establishment.
Giving resume of the youth, registered till date with various ECCs, the Minister said that a large number of youth have registered themselves with the Centres and a strategy is being evolved by the government to solve the crisis of unemployment.
The Minister asked the officers of the Employment department to guide the youth properly and encourage them to opt for self-employment avenues of different nature. He said that the Employment Centres are being given priority to expand its activities in far-flung and rural areas so that more and more youth are benefitted.
Mr. Malik said that 3500 youth have been trained in various skills by Entrepreneurship Development Institute and more youth would be made enable to go for various activities under the programme.
On this occasion, the Minister disbursed Rs 63 lakh among 1006 VSA persons under SKEWP scheme. He also asked the Employment officer to disburse Rs 1.13 crore among 192 unit aspirants to establish their units.
The Fair was attended by about 14,000 unemployed youth to get acquainted with various programmes and schemes related to self-employment.
Assistant Director Employment Bondipora Shabnam Arif Mir informed the Minister that 2015 youth registered themselves during 2-day Employment Fair for taking up various employment ventures.
Member Legislative Assembly Gurez Nazir Ahmad Gurezi also addressed the function and expressed his gratitude to the Minister or organizing a 2-day Employment Fair in the district.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Joint Director Employment Kashmir, Assistant Director Employment, Bandipora Shabnam Arif Mir attended the function. Mr. Malik also expressed grief over the death of wife of ex-MLA Ghulam  Rasool Naaz during his visit to his residence.

Extensive plantation drive organised by Div Com and DC Srinagar
            SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon and Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Baseer Ahmed Khan conducted an extensive tree plantation drive today.
            The drive was organised jointly by Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Social Forestry, Forest Department, Floriculture, Education, Civil Defence and Pollution Control Board. The drive started from Nowgam Railway Station, where Chinar and Pine trees were planted by Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar in presence of Joint Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Fayaz Ahmed Bala, Farzana Naqshbandi, Station Master, Nowgam Railway Station, Divisional Forestry Officer, Social Forestry, Abdul Hamid Bhat, DFO Urban Srinagar, Syed Abid Nazir, Dy. Director Floriculture, Syed Imtiyaz, District Floriculture Officer Srinagar, Shabir Ahmed, Chief Sanitation Officer SMC, Manzoor Ahmed, Regional Director, Pollution Control Board, Ali Mohammed Dar, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic, Hameed Shah, Dy. Controller Civil Defence Rafiq Ahmed, Abdul Hamid from Rahim Greens, concerned SHOs and other senior officers.
            The plantation was also done at congested Bus Stand Panthachowk, where around 75 Civil Defence volunteers led by Dy. Chief Warden, Civil Defence alongwith school teachers of Government High School Panthachowk participated. Divisional Commissioner also visited Industrial estate Khonmoh and inspected various industries along with DC Srinagar and Regional Director, Pollution Control Board. Pine tree saplings were planted in various factories including Khyber Cement Industry.
            The drive continued at Zewan, Eidgah where locals actively participated. Divisional Commissioner planted trees at SP Higher Secondary School, SP College and Government College for Women MA Road followed by strip plantation on banks of flood spill channel at Rambagh. The function at the SP School and Colleges was attended by the respective Principals, Staff members, Programme Coordinators NSS, as well as Civil Defence Volunteers of the School and Colleges dressed in yellow florescentjackets and maroon caps.
            Speaking on the occasion Divisional Commissioner said that all such industries which have potential to cause pollution should plant sufficient trees, within their estates, to counter the effects of pollution. He also gave instructions for upgradation ofthe road from Khonmoh upto the industrial area, so that pollution is prevented. He asked that the industries should come forward and support the government for development activities, under Public-Private partnership (PPP) mode.
            Divisional Commissioner asked all Deputy Commissioners and Head of Departments to ensure that they personally plant at least 50 to 100 plants including Chinar and Pine trees within their jurisdiction. The Plantation drivewill continue and a function has been organised on March 21, 2012 on the occasion of Arbour Day at Government Medical College, Srinagar and on March 22, Divisional Commissioner will plant trees at Government Degree College, Bemina, Disaster Management Store, Bemina, District Institute of Education & Training (DIET), Bemina, Dr Ali Jan Road, Eidgah, Royal Spring Golf Course, Rajbagh and various education institutions of the city.