Karwan e Aman complets Seven years today

Mufti calls for fast tracking of LOC trade, travel process

Accuses Omar Govt of trivializing issue by comparing with Wagha and Sikkim

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): Expressing deep concern at the lack of progress on taking forward the cross LOC trade and travel process Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today cautioned leadership of India and Pakistan against the serious pitfalls that could result from it. “Credibility of the entire peace process is at stake and unless the two governments come over the hawkish elements in each country to implement major decisions taken by them the painstakingly built effort could breed renewed cynicism in the state with serious implications” the former Chief Minster  said while addressing a gathering of people from Hiranagar, who joined PDP under the leadership of prominent Dalit leader Suraj Prakash here today.

According to VOS,PDP patron told the gathering,  on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the launch of historic karvan e amn between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, that the bus service between the two halves of the state was started after 58 years by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi from Srinagar on 7^thApril 2005 to facilitate the coming together of divided families, with a vision to extend it into regular travel and travel facility to break the decades long siege around the state.

Mufti said it was sad that the governments of India and Pakistan had failed to implement the decisions taken by their foreign ministers more than a year back to carry forward the original vision of bringing the two sides closer through trade, travel, joint ventures and cultural exchanges. He said there was no reason as to why the two governments should take so long to implement the decision to open more routes in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions, increase bus frequency, remove hassles in providing permits and more importantly extend the facility to all categories for tourism and pilgrimage purposes. “It is time the implementation of these decisions is fast tracked if the dividends of peace process are to last and reach the common man to build permanent stakes in peace and friendly relations” he said and asked the national leadership “not to test the patience of the people of the state.”

Referring to the situation that had prevailed in the state when the present peace process was launched by Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mufti said it had proved to be the most sustainable effort in the unhappy relationship between India and Pakistan only because it was primarily driven by the desire for peaceful resolution of the people of state. “Vajpayee picked up the vibes from Srinagar correctly and embarked on a bold process amid clouds of war and the initial support it received from the UPA leadership broke the hardened mindsets of the security establishments which had held the state hostage for decades” he said and called for employing similar statesmanship by the leadership to take it out of the groove it apparently has gone into. He said the tardy implementation of decisions could cause serious disillusionment among the people of the state who had started feeling its benefits even though in very small measure yet.

Mufti said lifting the siege around the three regions of the state is an important element in making the resolution process meaningful. He said the trade across LOC is not just about exchanging ‘potatoes for pulses’ but it has an important historic, cultural and economic perspective. “PDP wants opening up of all traditional routes through Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil regions and lifting curbs on travel and trade to create an Economic Free Zone (EFC) across the state that with its tremendous natural resources could become one of the most affluent regions of the country” he maintained. He said major hurdles had been crossed in this process by conceding important principles like travel on permits instead of passport and visa and trade without custom duties and it needed only fine tuning now in terms of the decisions taken by foreign ministers last year.

Mufti said it was good that even those who had been deriding our campaign for opening of roads across LOC were now speaking for the process “though it is unfortunate that it was being compared with the trade across Wagah or Sikkim”. The context of trade and travel across LOC is totally different as we want it to flourish within the already established system so that it can address the peculiar political, social and cultural dimensions of J&K’s problems he said. The inability of the present dispensation in the state to appreciate this perspective could cause serious setback to the process of resolution, he added. He said there was an urgent need to provide proper banking and communication back up for the trade to flourish without any attempt to fiddle with its basic character.

Former Minister and general  secretary of PDP Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Thakur Balbir Singh general secretary and former Minister and MLA Bijbehara Abdul Rehman Veeri also addressed the gathering.

Mirwaiz Welcomes Zardari-Singh talks

‘Without addressing Kashmir relations unlikely to turn normal’

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has welcomed Zardari-Manmohan proposed talks saying, they(Hurriyat) were not against India but cautioned that such engagements would prove futile unless a comprehensive dialogue process seeking settlement to Kashmir dispute was not initiated. “Kashmiri people are not against India or Pakistan and want friendly relations between the two countries.” Mirwaiz said in his Friday sermon here at the historic Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque).

He said that now when the Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was visiting India for a one day tour and holding talks with Prime Minster Manmohan Singh, both the countries should avail the opportunity to address the Kashmir problem. He however cautioned that without Kashmir problem being solved the relations between the two countries were unlikely to turn normal.

According to VOS, Mirwaiz while reacting to the Home Minster P. Chidambaram’s recent statement regarding his claims of normalcy having returned in Kashmir, said, “When you yourself accept that the graph of violence has gone down then what for the black laws?” asked Mirwaiz, adding that New Delhi should not expect a change on ground without repealing the black laws and demilitarization.

Meanwhile expressing his displeasure on Dr. Fai’s sentence, Hurriyat Chairman said that Fai has been working for Kashmir cause for three decades for which Kashmiris are thankful to him.

Govt committed to revoke AFSPA, More bunkers to remove: Sagar

 Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): Termed PDP non co-operative over revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), National Conference (NC) senior leader and Rural development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said that Omar Abdullah led coalition government is committed to revoke AFSPA.    

Addressing Party workers at Nawaz Subha, The National Conference senior leaders said that more security bunkers would be removed from Srinagar city for easy movement of common people.

Ali Mohammad Sagar said that National Conference led coalition government will take all the stake holders including security agencies into confidence over revocation of AFSPA.

“Chief Minister is personally keen to revoke AFSPA as early as possible, as the security situation has drastically improved. We are in touch will the Central government and we are hopeful both the centre government and state government will take a final call over revocation of AFSPA ,” he said.

The National Conference senior leader said that opposition PDP is playing a negative role over revocation of AFSPA. “In Delhi, they oppose the sincere move of Omar Abdullah to revoke AFSPA. In Kashmir they are giving an impression to people that they are advocating revocation of AFSPA. We several times advised all the parties particular PDP not do politics over AFSPA, but they are trying to politicize the issue,” he said.

Ali Mohammad Sagar said that Mehbooba Mufti and Muzzafar Hussain Beig are involved in worse kind blame game. He said they raised those issues in the assembly, which has no logic and sense. “ They were intending to weaken the coalition, but the sincere and transparent system of Omar Abdullah foiled all their attempts,” he said.

The National conference leader said that Omar Abdullah government is committed to keep all those promises fulfilled which he has made with the people.

 “The many more bunkers would be removed from the Srinagar as the security situation has drastically changed. More than 13  Lakh tourists have visited the state last years and in the few months only more than two lakh have arrived and the number is expected to increase in coming days,’. he said

Ali Mohammad Sagar also said that Omar Abdullah has favoured that all the traditional routes should be reopen with Pakistan so that easy access would be available to the traders and common people of both the countries.

The Rural Development minister also said that Omar Abdullah has also directed the security agencies that passport should be given to all those who have no link with the militancy. He also said that common people must not suffer while they apply for the passport.

Ali Mohammad Sagar also said that state government is committed for the safe return of the youth who had crossed to Pakistan. He said that process is going on and state government is intending for their return so that they can live normal life with their families.

National conference provintial president Ali Mohammad Dar said that negative propaganda of PDP against the NC has been defeated by people as the Omar Abdullah led government is becoming more popular on the ground.

Ali Mohammad Dar said that party leadership is optimistic that in the coming municipal election, it will emerge victorious.

Another senior leader of the party and minister Javid Ahmad Dar said that Omar Abdullah led government is committed for equal development of all the three regions of the state.

He said that people of the state must maintain faith and confidence with Omar Abdullah so that it can serve the people more effectively.

Another senior leader of the party G.M.Saloora said that people must co-operate sincere efforts of Omar Abdullah and Dr Farooq Abdullah as they are on job to mitigate the day to day problems of the people and party leadership is always available for the service of poor and weaker section of society.

The other leaders who were present on the occasion include former Mayor of SMC Salman Ali Sagar.

Taj introduces a unique Punishment for Ers

Asks, JKPCC to refund 2 cr for ‘negligence’ in construction 

JKPCC rubbishes the allegation

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): In an unprecedented action, a senior Minster in the government has asked Jammu and Kashmir Project construction Corporation (JKPC) to refund at least two crore rupees as a punishment for what he said the gross negligence and underperformance by its engineers to raise a steal bridge at Uri which was reportedly washed away by rains recently even before it could be commissioned.

Reports suggest that JKPCC had undertaken shift and planting of a  steal  bridge at Chandanwari uri over Jehlum at a cost of rupees two crore. However locals alleged that the material used in the construction was of substandard nature, an allegation JKPCC has rejected. Minster for PHE and irrigation who is also representing the area in the legislative assembly told VOS that he was surprised to see half of the bridge having gone disappeared on Thursday near Dachan where from it was to be shifted and that too in wake of a very low intensity rainfall. “This is the height of irresponsibility and negligence  and I wonder how could engineers do this.” asserted Taj, adding, that there was an immediate need to put the concerned engineers to task.

Meanwhile, rejecting the enquiry into the matter as was promised by the Managing director of JKPCC, M  Gupta, Taj straightway asked him to bear the loss. “ I have told him that I don’t want inquiry but the corporation must repay 2 crore to the government,” Vowed the Minster.

However, JKPCC while rubbishing the allegation said that the material which was to be used for raising the bridge had been already used atleast five times in different works. “Let me make it clear that the bridge was to be shifted from Dachan and then raised at Chandwari by means of assembling it.”  Farooq Ahmad,General Manger of the corporation told VOS over phone. He added that 20 percent material was already shifted when the floods in February dislodged the whole existing structure. “We had approached army for help but they told us to wait for one month,” claimed G.M.  

  

Shabir Shah arrested

This is not democracy but dictatorship: Spokesman

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): Senior separatist leader and Chairman of Democratic Party Shabir Ahmad Shah was reportedly arrested on Friday near pampore. He was on way to Kelar Shopian where he was to address the public gathering.

Meanwhile in a statement to VOS, party spokesman while expressing deep concern over the arrest, said that in democracies such acts were not acceptable or approved. “What kind of democracy they are claiming to be living in when they use police and other forces to bar public leaders to reach their people.” questioned spokesman.

Soz condoles Izhar’s demise

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): State Congress president Prof.Saifuddin Soz has expressed his great anguish over the sad demise of Izhar Wani. Calling Wani  a seasoned journalist Soz in a statement to VOS said, “As I now  know from sources close to Late Izhar Wani, he happened to be  a competent journalist  very much conscious of  professional ethics.”

“Loosing such a person at this point of time when many a journalist fight  battle against various  acts of malpractices in the system, is a great loss to the society in Kashmir. My heart goes all out in sympathy  over this greatly lamentable  bereavement.” added Soz.

Madhav Lal reviewed Darbar Move arrangements at Sgr

Srinagar, April; 6 (VOS): To review the arrangements being put in place for annual Darbar Move from Jammu, a high level meeting of Divisional and District Officers was convened by the Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal here today.

The meeting was attended by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, IGP Kashmir, S.M. Sahai, Municipal Commissioner G N Qasba and officers of Tourism, Information, Transport, Engineers of various disciplines.

The Chief Secretary was informed that Estates Department has arranged 1285 residential quarters out of which 780 are being provided to Darbar Move employees while 166 rooms are being allotted to senior officers by JKTDC at TRC, Kanposh and Heemal Hotels besides 43 huts in Cheshmashahi are also being acquired for the residential purposes for senior officers of the State. He was also informed that 115 hotels have been identified with the capacity of 3287 room.

The Chief Secretary directed the concerned officers to speed up the all the under construction projects so that they are completed within the stipulated time for the convenience of move employees. He also directed officers to ensure uninterrupted and water supply, sanitation in residential quarters of move employees, roads and parks. He asked the CAPD authorities to make LPG cylinders available for Darbar Move employees from Jammu to Srinagar with elaborate security arrangements.

Later, Madhav Lal conducted detailed tour of Civil Secretariat and took stock of renovation works being carried out. He also inspected the newly constructed additional block in the Civil Secretariat premises. He also inspected the newly setup 6 offices and 3 meeting halls in the Civil Secretariat.

Chief Secretary appreciated the Divisional administration for working tirelessly to provide all basic facilities to people during winter.

Madhav Lal appreciated the Divisional administration for working tirelessly to provide various facilities.

Prof Soz hands over orders to SKICC Casual workers

Srinagar: April 6 (VOS):  Pradesh Congress Committee President Prof. Saif u din Soz on Friday handed over regularization orders to at least 60 employees working in SKICC on temporary basis for last 17 years.

All temporary employees union President Javaid Ahmad Pandith told VOS, “These were the efforts of the Prof Saifud Din Soz who took the stand positively for last five years and today gave all of us the meaning of our lives.”

The permanent job orders were handed over to the employees in presence of General Manager, Air India, Deepa Mahajan and senior Vice President Hotel Corporation of India.

The employees thanked the Prof Soz for taking Keen interest in their case for pleading it before Civil Aviation Ministry in New Delhi.

 Prominent businessman joins PC

Sajad says, people want Change

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS):  A renowned businessman in North Kashmir  Ashiq Hussain Bhat has joined Peoples’ Conference  on Friday .Hailing from Langath zone, Hussain along with his supporters officially joined People’s Conference in the presence of constituency head Hafizullah Mir, Javaid Iqbal Mir, Nazir Ahmed Lone and other senior workers.
 According to VOS,Peoples’ conference Chairman Sajjad Gani Lone welcomed Ashiq Hussain Bhat’s inclusion in the party. Speaking about this development, Mr Lone said, “The joining of Ashiq Hussain Bhat along with his supporters reiterates the fact that people in Kashmir are up for a change. The policies of National Conference and PDP have always let down the people of Kashmir and Peoples’ Conference is increasingly seen as the game changer of future politics in Kashmir.”
Other senior party leaders of Peoples’ Conference have also welcomed Ashiq Hussain Bhat’s inclusion in the party.

Mainstream Politicians biggest hurdle in resolving K- Issue: Nayeem

Accuses them of ‘deceiving’ Kashmiris for ‘pity’ personal benefits

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): After being re-elected as party Chairman , Senior Resistance Leader  and Chairman of National Front, Nayeem Ahmad Khan on friday started his mass contact campaign from District Kupwara , saying that Pro-India Politicians were the biggest and largest hindrance in the way of resolution of Kashmir dispute. Adressing a public gathering at  Trehgam Khan said, “ pro-India Politicians work to strengthen the Indian occupation on Jammu and Kashmir for pity individual interests”. Khan said, adding“pro-India Politicians deceive Kashmiri People by using the terms like ‘resolution’ and ‘Kashmir issue’ because they know that Kashmiri People are emotional about the resolution of Kashmir dispute.”

According to VOS, Nayeem Ahmad Khan apprised the role of People especially from District Kupwara saying that the hills of Kupwara have seen thousands of dead bodies who’s message was crystal clear even today that they have only sacrificed their precious lives to end the Indian rule in the State”. Khan said People are responsibly to safeguard their sacrifices. He made it clear that the ongoing resistance movement is not to get mere economic benefits.

“It has been started only to achieve freedom from India and unless this goal is achieved the movement will continue” Khan told the gathering. He appealed India and Pakistan that they  must take positive steps to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to the wishes of the Kashmiri People because this is the only way to promote Peace in the region.Earlier  according to Kashmir News Service, Nayeem  called a party meeting of District Kupwara in Kupwara town and stressed upon workers that they must enhance their contacts with the common masses so as to educate them about the political sensitivities. He said that keeping this aim in mind he has started his contact campaign from District Kupwara.

Nayeem Ahmad Khan later on went to Baramulah and Condoled the death of Alhaj Gh. Rasool Makhdoomi, Imam High of local Mosque. He met the bereaved family and prayed for the deceased sole.

Meanwhile, Muslim Conference Leader Shabir Ahmad Dar also addressed the gathering and said that India and Pakistan should realize that Kashmir the Core issue. “Peace will only prevail when only Kashmir issue will be solved with accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” Shabir added. 

Er Rasid at LOC

Demands smooth cross LOC trade

Srinagar, April 6(VOS):  MLA Langate Er. Rasheed  has stressed upon
governments of India & Pakistan to remove hurdles in cross LoC trade
at Chaken-da Bagh Rawlakote & Uri- Muzaffarabad without any further
delay.  This he said while interacting with prominent citizens at
Sauronkote  after his return from Chaken-da- Bagh situated at Line of
Control (LoC), where he had visited to take stock of situation and
difficulties faced by the traders engaging in cross LoC trade.

According to VOS, Er Rasheed stressed upon the two governments to facilitate the visits to cross LoC for all the Kashmiris who are interested for the same. MLA Langate said that there is an urgent need to ease the permit system & increase the no. of trips of buses to travel across the LoC. He urged upon the two governments to provide Tele-communication system and
banking facilities to give a boost to the trade.

He said that people across the LoC should be allowed to use their own
vehicles after finding out the easiest possible mechanism for the same. After concluding his three day visit to Pounch & Surankote, He had an interaction with senior citizens, social activists , Traders  & intellectuals  at Rajouri.

During the interaction MLA Langate congratulated people of Rajouri for showing communal harmony irrespective of atttemptist to provoke them by communal forces at behest of Dr. Parveen Tokadia. Er. Rasheed said that there is an emotional bonding between the people of Rajouri & Pounch with the people of Kashmir Valley. He stressed upon the government to take up
in hand construction of tunnel at Mughal road so that the road becomes operational round the year.

 

Secretary I&B for Transparency, Coordination among Media Units

Assures office accommodation to media units in J&K

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): Secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Uday Kumar Varma has said that the  I&B Ministry was contemplating to introduce structural improvements for  strengthening the performance and reach of  different media units in J&K State.

Chairing a meeting of all the media units under Ministry here today, Shri Varma stressed the need of close coordination and synchronization to improve performance of the media units for effective results at grass root level. He said all the media units need to bring transparency and encourage work culture to flourish, for improving the information dissemination mechanism. He said this would help in reaching out to the common masses with the information about the policies, programmes, achievements and initiatives of the central government, in a better way.

The Secretary also called for strengthening Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee (IMPCC) with the instruction to hold IMPCC meetings on monthly basis for better coordination.

Shri Varma informed the meeting that the Ministry is constituting Recruitment  Board & framing Rules within six months, for strengthening the Prasar Bharti Broadcasting Corporation of India (PBBCI). He assured the meeting that the issue of office accommodation for the media units other than Prasar Bharti will be looked into seriously and instructed the officers concerned to work out some temporary feasible arrangements.

The meeting was attended by Shri L.R. Vishwanathan, Director S&DD, New delhi besides heads and representatives of local offices of AIR, DDK, PIB, DFP, S&DD, AIR/DDK (News) and Engineering wings.

Earlier, the Secretary chaired a similar meeting at Jammu. He also visited proposed site for High Power Transmitter of AIR & Doordarshan at Nathatop/Patnitop.

Shri Varma is on a four day official visit to J&K to review the issues pertaining to the working of all the media units under Ministry in the State.

The Secretary is scheduled to attend a Seminar on ‘TDSAT’ at SKICC on Saturday.

 J&K Bank signs MoU with Atul Auto Ltd

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): With a view to improve retail portfolio and generate employment opportunities in the State, J&K Bank today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ATUL Auto Limited, a Gujarat based company.

President & Zonal Head Jammu (Central) O.P. Sharma signed the MoU on behalf of J&K Bank and Area Manager, Swaranjit Singh put in his signatures on behalf of Atul Auto Limited in the Bank’s Zonal Headquarters at Rail Head Complex, Jammu.

Speaking on the occasion, O P Sharma said, “The signing of MoU is beginning of a relation that would be beneficial for both the companies in the longer run.”

The MoU will enhance the reach-out capacity of the auto company in the state due to the Bank’s wide network and will in turn help in generating employment opportunities in urban and rural areas of the State,” he added.

Also present on the occasion were Vice-President J&K Bank Nishi Baru, Bilal Ahmad and Tanveer Rasool Wani from Green Land Motors (The authorized dealers of Atul Auto Limited for Jammu).

Notably, Atul Auto is a leading automobile company incorporated in 1986 with manufacturing facilities at Shapar-Rajkot (Gujarat) with total installed capacity of 30,000 vehicles per annum. The company at present has a wide network in domestic and global market. 

Banker Customer Service Centre holds 27^TH review meeting

Srinagar, April 5 (VOS): With a view to formulate an effective redressal mechanism regarding customer grievances, the 27^th review meeting of all the member banks of Banker Customer Service Centre (BCSC) was convened yesterday at Conference Hall, J&K Bank Corporate Headquarter Srinagar.

The meeting was chaired by Executive President J&K Bank Parvez Ahmad. Also present on the occasion were President Meera Jamwal and Vice President MY Khosa.

The meeting discussed various agenda items threadbare and stressed upon the need for urgent and efficient measures to be taken for providing better services to the customers.

Speaking on the occasion Parvez Ahmad said, “In simple terms, one can say that for all the member banks in the state and outside, it is through the best customer services only we can achieve greater business objectives.”

The meeting was attended by all the member banks i.e. Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of India, SBI, Allahabad bank, Union Bank of India, Vijay bank, Bank Of Baroda, BMC Bank, CBI, Indian Overseas Bank, Bank Of Maharastra, PN Bank and J&K Bank.

The absence of UCO Bank, Dena Bank, ED Bank, Punjab & Sindh bank was viewed seriously by the chair.

Earlier, Fayaz Ahmad Baba, Incharge BCSC Srinagar welcomed the members and gave an over-view of the agenda items to be discussed in the meeting.

Traffic Police launches special drive against Motorbike riders

Srinagar, April 06(VOS): Traffic police city, Srinagar launched a special drive against Motorbike riders for triple riding, without crash helmet, invisible number plates, use of mobile phones, dangerous driving, etc.

               Around 274 Motorbike riders were challaned and an amount of Rs, 34680/= has been realized from the violators during the day. These Motorbike riders challaned for not adhering to the traffic police directions issued from time to time.

               Moreover, this drive was launched on receiving huge number of complaints against erring Motorbike riders especially near Educational Institutions / coaching Centers in Parraypora area. SP Traffic city, Srinagar personally monitored the whole drive through out the City Srinagar.

               Traffic Police Srinagar will continue special drives in this regard in future also.

Council of SKUAST-Jammu meets

Governor for enhancing agri-productivity

          Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): Governor N.N Vohra on friday emphasized the need for greater coordination among the Universities of the State and extension agencies of the Government besides creating a corpus of scientists to share expertise and research findings and for convergence of initiatives to effectively meet the effects of climate change and take required measures for enhancing agri-productivity on sustainable basis.

          The Governor was chairing the 7^th University Council meeting of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, at Raj Bhavan, here today.

          The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University, suggested that the larger objectives of the State would be far better served if the Vice Chancellors of all the Universities and major institutions of higher learning in J&K could establish effective coordination and carry through collaborative approaches in identified areas.

          Reviewing the status of establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the Governor called for making the Kendras as nodal points for transfer of agri-technology from the labs to land and dissemination of improved agricultural practices for the speedy growth of agriculture and each of its allied sectors. He stressed the importance of ensuring the establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras within envisaged time-lines, adding that if sustained coordinated efforts can be organized, there can be no difficulty in achieving a significantly high growth rate in agriculture production in the next 2-3 years. He also asked the University to propagate the model of integrated farming so that the small land holding farmers could achieve surpluses.

          Referring to the vocational training courses being run by the Universities, the Governor stressed that the intake of youth for undergoing such short-term courses should be increased to enlarge their employability as also equipping them with necessary skills to set up their own ventures in the sectors like dairy, fish and poultry farming, food processing, vegetable and mushroom cultivation, apiculture, sericulture, etc.   

          To ensure against any further delay, the Governor urged the Agriculture Minister to early convene a meeting of all concerned authorities and arrive at an agreed approach to set up a multi-disciplinary Empowered Task Force for Water Management. The Governor advised that a similar Task Force approach could be adopted for the collection and analysis of all data relating to Agriculture and its allied sectors for evolving region, area and crop specific strategies for boosting production. He stressed the usefulness of drawing up a comprehensive Action Plan for transfer of requisite agricultural practices to enhance productivity and production of various crops in the rainfed areas of the State.   

            Mr. Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Horticulture and Floriculture, put forth several suggestions for the growth of these sectors, adding that these have a vast potential in the State. He gave details of some of the new initiatives taken by these two departments, under his charge, for harnessing this potential.

          Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, emphasized the need for greater coordination among the Farm Universities and the extension agencies of the Government for the growth of Agriculture and its allied sectors in the State. He added that such a coordinated approach would go a long way in maximizing benefits of various schemes aimed at the growth of Agriculture sector.  

Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, emphasized the need for running courses in Dairy Technology by the Farm Universities of the State, as this sector has huge potential for generating wealth and employment avenues.  

Dr. B. Mishra, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu, presented a detailed report on the status of teaching, research and extension activities undertaken by the University. He dwelt on the achievements of the University in varied fields and the new varieties of seeds of different crops developed and released by it. He informed the meeting about the up-to-date status in regard to the setting up of new Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Jammu Division.

The meeting took stock of various research projects and other initiatives taken after the last meeting of the SKUAST, besides discussing other agenda items which included a review of the follow-up action in respect of various decisions taken in the last meeting.

The Council approved the two-tier Career Advancement Scheme for Non-Teaching employees of the University besides taking decisions on various other agenda items.          

          The meeting was attended by Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir; Dr. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore; Mr. M. I. Khandey, Principal Secretary, Finance; Mr. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Mr. Shaleen Kabra, Commissioner/Secretary, Agriculture Production; and Dr. B. B. Gupta, Registrar, SKUAST, Jammu.

 ‘Enough is Enough’, says PDP,

Warns govt. against Cantilever ‘bombshell’.

Srinagar, April 6 (VOS): Reacting to the news reports about the govt proposal to construct a concrete cantilever around Dal Lake to facilitate expansion of boulevard, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) today vowed to resist the plan at every level. In a statement issued here today the party chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said “enough is enough. This govt has already done incalculable damage to the ecology and environment of Kashmir and is carrying forward the NC agenda of destroying what God has bestowed this place with. We will not allow this disastrous plan to take off and will organize public resistance to it if that was needed”.
The spokesperson said Dal Lake had been a victim of the greed and political manipulations of NC politicians for the last so many decades but now the party was stretching  its destruction agenda to intolerable levels. The people of Kashmir are already facing the fall out of NC actions which have resulted in the disappearance of green patches and water bodies and now the R&B department has come up with this virtual bombshell that could be treated as a criminal act in any modern society.
Akhtar said there are many alternatives that could be explored to achieve a better traffic flow around Dal without disturbing ecology any further. One of the possibilities is to construct a tunnel under the Kohi Sulieman or Shankaracharya mount that could obviate the need for disturbing the present Boulevard scene. “Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had in fact as chief minister discussed that possibility with leading engineers and experts who had received it with professional approval” Akhtar disclosed. He said the Mufti had even made an announcement to that effect at a function of engineers and had desired a geological assessment of the proposal done. “But after the change of guard that happened soon after, the proposal was shelved” Akhtar regretted.
Akhtar said another option to ease traffic around Dalgate without fiddling with Dal Lake area could be to widen the Gupkar link and upgrade it into a four lane avenue. Should such a bold decision be taken which will involve some sacrifice by the ruling family, Boulevard could even be turned into a pedestrian mall sparing Dal some measure of pollution.
Accusing the NC led government of having lost the capacity to think, PDP spokesperson said, the party had outsourced the city to some politicians of extremely low intellectual caliber who were destroying its natural and man made heritage without any sense of remorse. He said all the works carried out in the name of development were actually contributing to the mess that the city has been turned into. Works were being conceptualized only to benefit contractors of choice without ever thinking about the crisis of civic amenities, traffic, drainage or roads faced by the people. “It is a slap on the face of the government that a dignitary like Anil Ambani had to abandon a trip to Pahalgam becoz of traffic congestion” Akhtar said and wondered what impression this news could have created across the world about the so called preparations of this administration to receive a million plus tourists. “That news will linger for a long time in public memory without doing any credit to Kashmir or its tourism industry” Akhtar said.