One More infant dies in G.B Panth.
Medical Superintendent calls emergency press conference on Monday.

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS) :     Even if the govt. has waken up from the sprawl, the deaths of ill fated infants continue to haunt the G.B panth hospital with one more I    nfant losing his life on Sunday evening. Sources told VOS that hours after Union Health Minister Gh. Nabi Azad's visit to the hospital, one more infant died on Sunday evening. Newly appointed Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr. Muneer while confirming the death told VOS, " One more infant died at 8.15 pm on sunday." He added that every possible resource is being put in force to stop the deaths. Medical Superintended is holding an emergency press conference on Monday afternoon. " I am going to explain how these deaths take place." Dr. Muneer asserted.

Chaos, sloganeering at Hurriyat headquarters

Shabir Shah demands Bhat’s expulsion from Hurriyat

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS) Chaos erupted during heated verbal exchanged and sloganeering between supporters of different leaders during a seminar organised by the Hurriyat Conference at its Rajbagh headquarters.

According to VOS correspondent sloganeering erupted from the Hurriyat headquarters while Hurriyat leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan was delivering his address during a seminar titled ‘Shaheedon ka khoon aur hamara mustaqbil’ (Martyrs blood and our future).

Pertinently Khan expressed his displeasure over the recent remarks made by Prof Ab Gani Bhat regarding the applicability of United Nations resolutions on Kashmir.

Later the leaders assembled again after it was announced the Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Chairman of Hurriyat conference would address the leaders and supporters via telephone.

Senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, while demanding Prof. Ab Gani Bhat’s expulsion from the Hurriyat Conference has said that he cannot brush shoulders with those elements who according to him want to sell blood the youth.

Shabir Ahamd Shah, President Democratic Freedom party while speaking on the occasion said that Prof Bhat had committed a blunder by calling the UN resolutions ‘obsolete’ and that he should ask the Kashmiri people for apology. “If he (Bhat) does not tender his apology for his remarks, the Hurriyat Chairman should expel him from Hurriyat membership in the right spirit of the Hurriyat constitution, in the same spirit as was done in case of Molvi Abbas Ansari after he met the interlocutors of Govt of India”, Shah said. Shah also termed the chaos and confusion that took place during the seminar as unfortunate and asserted that the Hurriyat Conference according to him was a party representing the sentiments and aspirations of Kashmiris and not a one man show.

However, as soon as Shabir Ahmad Shah stood to address the congregation, chaotic scenes erupted again after which leaders including Molvi Abbas Ansari left the hall.

Later the Hurriyat Leaders conducted a meeting and resolved not to allow differences among themselves hamper the cause of Hurriyat conference.

Space, manpower, sanitation issues responsible for G.B Pant deaths: Azad

Urges state to utilize central grants

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): Enumerating the causes for the recent deaths and poor conditions of healthcare at the G,B Pant hospital, Union health minister Gulam Nabi Azad held referral of patients from peripheries, insufficient space, and shortage of manpower apart from lack of proper sanitation responsible for the deaths of children at the hospital.

Azad, who is on two day visit of the state, visited G.B Pant Hospital Sunday and took stock of situation and available facilities in the hospital.

Minister for Medical Education R.S.Chib also accompanied the Union Minister.

Pulling up the state government for non-implementation of central schemes,Azad said that the children should get free medicines, diagnostic facilities besides meals for the attendants for one month during hospitalization under a scheme already in vogue in the country. He said that the hospital will bear the expenses on the medical investigations which may be required to be conducted outside the hospital during this period. Azad further said that the state has already been provided rupees 60 crore for the scheme.

Referring to the deficiency of the medical and paramedical staff in the hospital, the Union minister said that State Government has already taken necessary steps in this regard, adding that 15 days training would be imparted to the nurses being engaged in the hospital. He said such engagements can also be made at district level to cater to the needs of hospitals through a walk in interview, without getting into too many formalities.

Replying to a query regarding deficiency of ventilators in the hospital, Azad said that the state can procure consumables including ventilators out of the central funds. 

The Union Minister said that two 200- bedded hospitals, one each at Jammu and Srinagar, are coming up for which the first installment of funds has already been released by the centre.

Azad laid stress on the restricted numbers of attendants in the wards and said that this would help in ensuring cleanliness and checking infection in the hospital.   

Earlier, Azad went round the wards, interacted with the attendants and enquired about the facilities being provided to their wards.

According to VOS correspondent, Azad while walking around the wards in the hospital noticed the bath rooms in the hospital had been turned into garbage dumps and expressed displeasure over the state of affairs.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister also chaired a meeting of officers and got first hand appraisal of the functioning of the institution.

Among others, Secretary Health and Medical Education Mr. M.K.Dwevidi, Principal GMC Dr. Qazi Masood, Medical Superintendent Dr. Muneer Ahmad besides senior doctors of the hospital were present on the occasion. Later Azad left for Delhi in the afternoon.

State government a coalition of opportunists, brokers: Mehbooba

‘CM has lost moral authority to enforce discipline’

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): Terming the state government as a coalition of opportunists, brokers and contractors Peoples Democratic Party Sunday said the agenda of the coalition government was corruption whileas mis-governance is its policy. Addressing public meetings at Qammerwari, Batmaloo, Eidgahand, and Zadibal Saturday and Sunday the party president Mehbooba Mufti said Omar Abdullah government had brought the state to a virtual systemic collapse and the death of 400 infants in G B Panth Hospital was the worst reminder of this harsh reality.

According to a PDP press release, senior leader & former Minister Tariq Hameed Karra, District president & MLC Mohd Ashraf Mir, Ab Hameed Kosheen, Nisar Ahmed Mandoo, Zonal Presidents Noor Mohd, Imtiyaz Khan, Abul Hassan, Ali Mohd Baba, Dr Ali MOhd and others accompanied Mehbooba.

Mehbooba said the state government has failed to add to the facilities at the hospital after 2005 when the G B Panth hospital was inaugurated, not because of lack of resources but as a result of the lack of will and political direction.

She said it was only because the government could not find the right contractor to construct 200 bedded hospitals sanctioned by Government of India for Srinagar and Jammu which resulted in mass murder of babies in Kashmir. “Such a disaster should have led any government to quit but the NC-Congress coalition struggles to survive from one crisis to another and its performance has left people of the state stunned for a response”, she said.

There are reports she said that the coalition ministers are at war with each other over the allotment of contracts for many prestigious projects sanctioned by Government of India which include modern maternity hospitals for Srinagar and Jammu. The programmes started during the previous coalition like JNNURM and ADB funded projects too failed to produce the desired results in improving infrastructure because the ministers in the state government were interested only in fixing contracts for their favourites and relatives or making back door appointments, she added

She said the Chief Minister after the exposure of his family’s corrupt practices after the custodial death e of Haji Mohammed Yousuf was reduced to a rubber stamp as he lost moral authority to enforce discipline. “Things were made worse by the cricket scam in which Dr Farooq Abdullah’s role as president of the J&K Cricket Association is clearly established”, she said and added that after these incidents the police and administration which were used to shield Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and their family got an upper hand leading to complete anarchy.

“How can the Chief Minister question a doctor or any official after their services were misused for producing  bogus post mortem reports to save the Chief Ministers skin” Mehbooba alleged.

Mehbooba said thousands of crores are available under various social sector schemes which have been harnessed by other states to improve the life of their people but the arrival of Omar Abdullah on the political scene of the Jammu & Kashmir has struck it as a misfortune. It is not the lack of ventilators at the G B Panth Hospital alone that is responsible for the death of the innocent kids as the Chief Minister is trying to make it look like, but the tragedy is the consequence of a complete collapse of governance.

Mehbooba said the incumbent government has always been in crisis management mode which according to her was evident in the civilian killings during 2009 and 2010.

“Nobody was ever asked a question about the 120 youth in 2010 and instead they were branded as drug addicts and antisocial, antinational elements”, she said. “The crisis at that time was tackled by appointing committees, framing more than 5000 youth in false police cases and introduction of new and inhuman crowd control methods. The crisis created now by the death of babies is also being addressed in firefighting manner by deploying machinery from one hospital to another and posting doctors in and out. “The people of the state will have to rise upto the occasion and realize the stakes that are involved in letting the NC and its allies have an unaudited power”, Mehbooba said.

She said the beautification of Jehlum was to be extended to entire city so that the historic city could be rejuvenated but again the government failed to carry on the process, she said. She pointed out that even the construction of new weir at Chatabal has not been sucessfully executed. She said the reconstruction of weir would have helped navigation through the river and would have opened up the heritage part of the city to tourism activity.

Speaking on this occasion Fomer Finance Minister& Senior leader Tariq Hameed Karra blamed NC of worsening economic, political and infrastructure condition of the capital city. “Srinagar is turning into world’s fastest growing slum because of government neglect while the ruling national conference doles out the haphazardly conceived works to its cadre in the name of development, only to provide them monetary benefits”, he said.

Karra said that lack of vision in the ruling party was the misfortune of Srinagar as the city now looks, centuries behind its counterparts in other states. “National Conference has unfortunately taken Srinagar for granted and does not feel accountable to its residents.

Self rule will liberate state from siege: Mufti

Haji Qasim joins PDP

Kargil, May 20 (VOS): Former Chief Minster and PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Sunday said that the forward looking agenda of his party, which according to him, has been formulated in the shape of the self rule document would liberate the state from the siege it has experienced since partition.

He further said that Kargil was a prominent trade centre between south Asia and central Asia as part of the silk route could rediscover its business value with the implementation of his self rule proposal. He said the reopening of Kargil- Skardu road for trade and travel had been accepted in principal by India and Pakistan and needed to be fast tracked. He also said that construction work on tunnel at Zojilla needs to be taken up from both ends to ensure its early completion.

According to a press statement, a prominent citizen and former general secretary of Imam Khumaini Memorial trust (IKMT) Kargil  Haji Mohd Qasim thas joined PDP Sunday in presence of Mufti Mohammad Syed and party President Mehbooba Mufti . Others who were present on this occasion included senior leaders Ab Aziz Zargar, Tariq Hameed Karra and Naeem Akhtar.

Commenting himself to the party programmes and agenda Haji Mohd Qasim who is also a prominent academician said he was impressed by the functioning of the party and its visionary leadership. He said the PDP during its brief tenure had brought in fundamental changes in the entire state and Kargil and Leh had been the major beneficiaries of empowerment and development process.

Mirwaiz, Lone under house arrest

Authorities sabotaging May 21 event: Hurriyat

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): On the fifth day of Hafta Shouda programme to mark anniversaries of Late Mirwaiz Moulana Mohammad Farooq, Late Khwaja Abdul Gani lone and thousands of other martyrs, the All Parties Hurriyat conference Sunday organized a seminar at Hurriyat headquarters at Rajbagh here.

Senior Hurriyat leader and executive member of the party, Moulana Abbas Ansari convened the seminar as the authorities had placed the APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Umar farooq under house arrest by deploying a heavy contingent of police there.

“The seminar titled ‘Shaheedoun Ka Khoon aur Hamara Mustaqbil’ was attended by a large number of people including Hurriyat Conference leaders. A significant number of hurriyat leaders from jammu also participated inthe seminar”, read the Hurriyat press release.

Among Hurriyat leaders Ghulam nabi Zaki, Muzzafar Ahmad, Kanwaljeet Singh, D R Sharma, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Ghulam Nabi Naku, Yameen Raja, Abdul Manan Bukhari, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, Shaheen Chowdhary, and Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi spoke on the occasion.

“While speaking on the occasion, speakers paid glowing tributes to the martyrs who laid their life for the freedom struggle. They said the hurriyat not only represent the Kashmiri wishes aspirations, but it is also the custodian of the cause for which people have sacrificed their lives.

The speakers said the cause for which the Shaheed-e-Millat and thousands of others laid there life would be kept alive. They declared that APHC will continue to work for the right to self determinationfor Kashmiris on local and international fronts”, added the spokesperson.

During the seminar, according to the statement, Hurriyat leaders urged for unity and said it was a need of the hour to foil the conspiracies which are underway to weaken the APHC and the resistance movement.

Speakers strongly condemned the house detention of party chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other Hurriyat leaders. Leaders in the seminar resolved that they would do their best to make the May 21 event a grand success at Iddgah.

“The agencies and police are making every effort to sabotage the 21 May function to be held at Iddgah. They have raided houses of Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee, and several party activists and workers and detained them”, further added the statement

According to Hurriyat spokesperson, senior Hurriyat leader, Khawaja Bilal Gani lone is already under house detention while as Mohammad Yousuf Nqash too had been detained and lodged at Safa kadal police station since morning.  

 According to the statement, following the programme, a large number of Hurriyat leaders including representative from Jammu held a gathering which was addressed by  Mohamamd Shafi khan, Ghulam Qadir beigh, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, Mohammad yousuf Bhat, Kanwaljeet Singh and others who paid glowing tributes to Shohda.

“The participants took oath that they will continue to represent Kashmiri aspirations and would take forward the freedom struggle. On the occasion, Ghulam Nabi Zaki passed a resolution which was accepted by all the participants”, informed the spokesperson.

Azad opposes transfer of Hotel Centaur to JK

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): Union health minister and former J&K Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad has opposed the transfer of Hotel Centaur at Srinagar to the state government and said that he will take up the issue of renovation of the facility with the concerned ministry in New Delhi. He has stressed the need for providing employment guarantee to the hotel staff apart from modernization of the hotel.

According to VOS a six member delegation representing the Hotel Centaur Coordination Committee met the minister at the Nehru Guest House here Sunday morning. Expressing satisfaction over the assurances given by the Union minister, the committee also appealed the minister to scuttle any efforts of the government for privatization or outsourcing of the hotel.

While giving details of the meeting to VOS, the chief spokesperson of the coordination committee Sabina Amin said the minister gave their delegation and patient hearing, According to the spokesperson, the Chairman of the Coordination Committee Mufti Iqbal apprised the minister about the apprehensions of the hotel staff comprising 300 employees regarding the privatization or outsourcing of the hotel, which according to them may put their jobs in jeopardy.

According to the spokesperson, the delegation drew the attention of the minister towards a letter under no. CAD/PER/1021/320 dated 02.05.2012 written by the J&K government to the Hotel Corporation of India, in which the state government has clearly stated that it ‘can outsource the work in the hotel’.

According to VOS, after patiently listening to the delegation the minister assured the members that he will personally take up the matter with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and that he personally is not in favour of transfer of the hotel to the state government.

Azad also told the delegation that according to him the hotel needs renovation and modernization so that it becomes economically self reliant. “If given due attention, this hotel can become the most beautiful and sought after hotel in the state”, sources quoted Azad as having said.

The Centaur Hotel Coordination Committee has expressed its satisfaction over the assurances given by the minister and hoped that the minister will do his best to safeguard the interest of the employees of the hotel by negating any attempts for transfer or privatization of the hotel.

NC committed to Jammu region: Kamal 

Jammu, May 20: National Conference today said that the three regions of the state are the three important limbs of the party. Addressing apublic meeting at Gool Arnas in Jammu province Additional General Secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal enumerated that the revolutionary steps taken by the NC to ensure that all the three regions are equitably developed both politically as well as economically. He said that Jammu was as important for us as Kashmir and Ladkah and it will be the party’s endeavor to ensure that the Jammu province is developed both politically as well as economically.

The Addl. General Secretary said that it was because of NC that injustice was eliminated from the state. The NC always stood for the welfare of the state. He said that Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah always preached brotherhood and harmony between the three regions adding that the leaders of the party are following the same roadmap as given by the Sher-e-Kashmir

 “The party has never discriminated on the basis of regions, religion , cast or color, unlike our adversaries” said Kamal
Dr Mustafa Kamal congratulated the people of Gool Arnas, for the  Degree College, sub district hospital sanctioned by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He also appreciated state government for constructing the road from Duran Kund and Gool and various bridges which were the long pending demands of the locals.
Assuring the people that their demands of on spot recruitment in the police department, setting up of development authority, promotion of SPO’s will be taken up with the government immediately. He also assured that the issue regarding the interviews of home guard aspirants will be taken up with the concerned department.

 Meanwhile Provincial president Ratan Lal Gupta, on the occasion said that setting up of Baglihar, Savalakot, Pakulgund and other power projects has changed the whole face of Chinab valley and people are appreciating that Omar Abdullah personally assured that Chenab valley gets a major face lift.

07 injured in road mishaps.

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): According to a police sources even persons were injured in four different road accidents Sunday across Kashmir valley.

A motor cycle bearing registration number JK05/4352 hit and injured Fayaz Ahmad Sofi Son of Abdul Khaliq resident of Ashtengo, near DC office Bandipora. The motorcyclist Manzoor Ahmad Shah son of Ghulam Mohammad Shah resident Gundbal, Bandipora was also injured. Both the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, a motor cycle bearing registration number JK13/5041 had a head on collision with another motorcycle bearing registration number JK13A/4631, near Imam Sahib Shopian, resulting in injuries to both the motorcyclists. Both the injured have been shifted to the Hospital for treatment.

In another accident a Sumo bearing registration number Jk04A/6255 hit and injured 12 year old Mohammad Abrar son of Mohammad Zail resident of Rajouri near Kharmoud Awantipora. The injured Abrar was shifted to SKIMS Soura for treatment.

In a similar accident, a Tata mobile van hit and injured two pedestrian, near Gundbow Hajin. Both the injured have been shifted to the Hospital for treatment. However, driver along with vehicle fled away from the spot. Police has registered a case in this regard.

Poppy Cultivation destroyed in Awantipora

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): Police swung into action against illicit cultivation of poppy in Awantipora and destroyed poppy cultivation. According to a police press release poppy cultivation spreading on a one kanal piece of land was destroyed at Chersoo Village near Awantipora.

04 Structures damaged in fire

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): Reportedly, due to electric short circuit, fire broke out in the residential houses of Mukhtar Ahmad Mir son of Ali Mohammad Mir, Mohammad Yousf Mir son of Ghulam Mohammad, Mohammad Arif Beigh son of Mohammad ishfaq and Firdous Ahmad Shah son of Ghulam Ahmad residents of Rose Lane, Chanapora, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Chanpora, resulting in complete damage to all the structures. Fire was brought under control with the help of fire tenders and locals of the area.

Stone pelting in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): According to police sources, some stone pelting incidents were reported from downtown Srinagar on Sunday.

“Some miscreants pelted stones on a security forces bunker at Saraf Kadal in downtown Srinagar. Exercising maximum restraint the miscreants were chased away by police. No one was injured”, informed a police statement.

According to eye witnesses, the incidents lasted for a short time after which normal movement of people and traffic resumed on the road.

NC pays tributes to Mirwaiz, Lone

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS): National Conference has paid glowing tributes to Molvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone on their death anniversaries.  
According to press statement issued by the party spokesman, the party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah and working President Omar Abdullah said that the contribution of both the leaders will always be remembered with reverence for all times to come and their religious and political teachings will always be remembered.
They said that Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq played a crucial role in promoting the fundamentals of Islam. Regarding Late Mirwaiz’s contributions they said that various Islamic and political leaders have been educated by the School run by the late Mirwaiz.
The National Conference president and working president said that the untimely death of late Mirwaiz was a great loss to the state adding that Mirwaiz always played an important role in bridging the gap between the neighboring countries.

Dr Abdullah said that the agreement between the two historical parties of Kashmir helped in maintaining peace and harmony in Kashmir especially the downtown Srinagar.

While paying glowing tributes to Abdul Gani Lone, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah said that Ab, Gani lone was a very learned legislator, an important leader and also a great social worker who always raised his voice for poor and weaker sections of the society.
Meanwhile the General Secretary of the Party, Sheikh Nazir Ahmad has also paid rich tributes on the death anniversaries of the two leaders. He said that both Mirwaiz Farooq and Ab. Gani lone played a significant role in promoting religious and political education in the state.

Meanwhile other leaders also paid their tributes on their death anniversary includes, Dr Sheikh Mustafa kamal, Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mohammad Shafi Uri, Tanvir Sadiq, Irfan Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yasin Shah and Afaq Ahmad.

Bazaz pays tributes to Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq

Jammu, May 20 (VOS): Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum President Bhushan Bazaz has paid tributes to Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq on his 22^nd anniversary. Bazaz while highlighting Mirwaiz’s achievements called him a veteran social, political and religious personality of Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion of his 22th death anniversary, a two days congregation was organized here by the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum. People from all walks of life paid floral tributes to Mirwaiz calling him a dedicated, selfless and liberal leader. The forum also recalled his relentless struggle in the eradication of evils of society, according to a press statement by the forum.

Speaking at a inauguration function here today, Pandit Bhushan Bazaz, President of the JKDF described Moulvi Farooq as a true son of Kashmir, who fought for the interest of the people through various forums and upheld the traditional values of secularism. He said Moulvi Saheb would be long remembered for his innovative spirit, distinctive idiom and unfailing humility apart from the sacrifice of his life for the cause of the Hindu-Muslim unity

“A keen observer and analyst of political situation, Moulvi Farooq had predicted the disastrous situation presently prevailing in Kashmir 25 years ago through his writings and speeches. He would always be remembered for the guidance he provided”, said Bazaz.

Commissioner Municipality flags off drive to eradicate cannabis

Srinagar, May 20 (VOS):  Srinagar Municiaplity commissioner Dr G.N Qasba flagged off an awareness drive which was initiated by a group of youth from Pandrethan Srinagar in order to dig out the wild cannabis (Bhang) growing on the bank of River Jhelum at Pandrethan today. The youth also launched awareness campaign about ill effects of tobacco use.

Inaugurating the drive, Dr. Qasba said that initiative taken by the youth is praise worthy and implored others to follow this notable example of self-help. He assured that any area, which takes similar initiatives, would get full support from SMC. He highlighted various initiatives taken by SMC to make Srinagar clean and a green city.

Executive Director, J&K Voluntary Health Association, A.M. Mir welcomed the delegates and youth and assured full support from his organization for such initiatives. Dr. Abdul Majid, Associate Professor SKIMS spoke about ill-effects of tobacco. Treasurer J&K State Red Cross Society, N.D Samnani appreciated the youth for their proactive action and spoke about various measures being taken by Red Cross to support the youth. Joint Director Fire & Emergency Services, R.T Dubey along with Deputy Director, Khurshid Ahmed Bazaz sensitized the youth about fire fighting methods. Deputy Controller Rafiq Ahmed along with Mauzam Bakshi and Aamir Ali, Dy. Chief Wardens enrolled the youth as C.D. Volunteers, on the instructions of DIG Civil Defence Mubarak Ahmed Ganai.

Prominent social worker, G.N. Mir Lasjan, who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, said that it is important to eradicate cannabis owing to its misuse. He assured his support for the noble cause.

Chief Sanitation Officer, SMC solicited support of the youth in making the area polythene-free. He urged that any complaint regarding misuse of polythene can be lodged on his cell number 9419574896. Mir Sarwar President, Pandrethan Youth Forum presented vote of thanks.

Among others, who attended, included Manish Agarwal, SHO Pantha Chowk, Gazanfar Ali, Secretary Social Welfare Board, Shabir Ahmed Lone, Food Safety Officer and AK Wani. The youth alongwith the respectable elders of the Mohalla actively participated in the drive to eradicate cannabis. IFC and Excise departments had also deployed their mechanical cutters along with man power. The locals highly appreciated the support provided by the administration and concerned departments.

Farmers advised to spray fungicide to control Yellow Rust disease in Wheat Crop

          SRINAGAR, MAY 20:  In order to control yellow Rust disease in whea,t Farmers at Tangdhar were acquainted with the measures to be taken to control this disease in their farms.

            District Agriculture Officer (Extension), Kupwara, Farooq Ahmad is monitoring the wheat crop condition and spray of Fungicide at Tangdhar and other areas of the district.

            During interaction with farmers, he advised the farmers to coordinate with field functionaries of Department during spraying of Fungicides in their fields. He said Yellow Rust diseases is airborne and can affect other areas. However, disease has been marginalized and large quantity Fungicide Propiconazole has been purchased for this purpose and same is provided to farmers free of cost.

 'Hafta' discord: US, Pak squabble over transit fee

WASHINGTON: The United States is all too familiar with Nafta - the North Atlantic Free trade Agreement - but it is now learning the meaning of 'hafta', the subcontinental expression for protection money collected by gangsters.

On the eve of the Nato summit in President Barack Obama's hometown Chicago to discuss the future of Afghanistan, Washington is locked in a bitter wrangle with Islamabad over the so-called ''transit fees'' for US/Nato containers carrying supplies through Pakistan to landlocked Afghanistan. Pakistan is demanding $5000 per container; the US says it is too much and expressions such as price-gouging and blackmail are being bandied around.

The scrap is getting ugly. Over the weekend, even as Pakistan's survivalist President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Chicago as a late invitee, US defense secretary Leon Panetta stepped into the dispute raging in the lower level bureaucracy of both sides, ruling out the $ 5000 per container that Pakistan is demanding.

"Considering the financial challenges that we're facing, that's not likely," Panetta told Los Angeles Times of the Pakistani demand.

The US was paying Pakistan $250 per contained till late last year before a rash of crises starting with the Raymond Davis episode and culminating with the Salala incident, with the Abbottabad raid to kill Osama bin Laden in between, brought the tormented ties between the two sides to a bitter pass. Pakistan has upped the ante and the price of cooperation since then, enhancing its reputation as a rentier state that uses self-generated crises to extract money. Islamabad's argument purportedly is that $5000 per container is still less than what the US is having to spend on the alternative Northern Distribution Network.

In Washington, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman told CNN that Pakistan is looking at a 'positive' conversation about reopening of Nato supply routes but it will be pre-mature to say when the trucks will resume supply. She also maintained that Pakistan is still demanding an apology from Washington for the death of Pakistani soldiers in a U.S attack on the Salala checkpoint.

But the US has hardened its stance on the issue after much debate within the administration about an apology. According to one account, the Obama administration was on the verge of issuing an apology on several occasions but backed off each time in the face of Pakistani depredations, including one episode involving Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when it was aborted midflight. The prevailing sentiment in Washington is now veering around to: When will Pakistan apologize to the world for harboring terrorists who have attacked targets across the world?

The US is now reconciled to the issue not being resolved before or during the summit, and in yet another snub to Pakistan, it has declined to announce any bilateral meeting between President Obama and Zardari. "We're not anticipating necessarily closing out those negotiations this weekend," Obama aide Ben Rhodes said on Saturday, adding, "A lot of it is happening, frankly, at the working level between our governments." The working level, as it turns outs, isn't working very well.

The spat between the two sides is bound to get uglier. Last week, the US Congress approved an amendment to a bill under which Washington could block up to $650 million in proposed payments to Pakistan unless Islamabad lets coalition forces resume shipments. The vote was an overwhelming 412-1 in favor of the amendment, indicative of the mood in Congress. The US also has various other levers to bring Pakistan to heel, including squeezing bilateral and multilateral aid, which it has so far been reluctant to use.

Presidential polls: Jayalalithaa steps up lobbying for Sangma

CHENNAI: AIADMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday stepped up her lobbying for the candidature of NCP leader and former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma for the upcoming Presidential elections. She spoke to several non UPA leaders including BJP leader LK Advani, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, CPI leader AB Bardhan, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu in an effort to build consensus in Sangma's favour. .

"As part of her campaign for Sangma, Jayalalithaa has spoken to the leaders over the phone and asked them to support Sangma who is also a tribal leader from north east and capable person for the presidential post," a statement issued by the AIADMK headquarters here stated.

It also recalled Sangma's meeting with Jayalalithaa on May 15 at the state secretariat in Chennai. Jayalalithaa officially announced her support for Sangma on May 17. Jayalalithaa's latest initiative comes two days after she asked all parties to "rise above political considerations," and support the tribal leader for the top constitutional post. .

In a coordinated move, Jayalalithaa and her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik on May 17 announced their joint support for Sangma. The AIADMK chief had held consultations with Patnaik and her party leaders before announcing her support to Sangma.

A constituent of the UPA, the NCP, to which Sangma belongs, has however, ruled out supporting his candidature, saying it would go along with the Congress-led alliance being a part of it.

Oil sanctions on Iran will push crude prices to $160: Iran minister

Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini says if EU sanctions against the Islamic Republic take effect, oil prices will soar to as high as USD 160 per barrel.

In an interview with CNN, Hosseini said Iran has endured sanctions for 33 years and “this really shows that the economy, the economic strength of Iran is in such a way that can withstand these sanctions and will not be the only economy to suffer.” 

"We must pay close attention when we speak of oil revenues and sanctions against oil sales, who are the winners and the losers of such sanctions?" 

Hosseini said the embargo would also likely hurt the European Union, which is grappling with its own weakened economy. 

"Indeed, it is difficult. But not just for Iran. And we can all rest assured that there will be a considerable increase in international oil market prices. Now, is this the best approach?" 

Even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) "says as a result of these sanctions, oil prices will perhaps reach and hover around USD 160 per barrel," he said. 

In March, the IMF warned that if Iranian oil supplies are disrupted, crude prices may spike by up to 30 percent, sending shockwaves through the global economy. 

Global oil prices have continually climbed this year following Iran’s move to stop oil sales to some European firms, carried out in response to EU's oil sanctions against the country. 

On January 23, the EU approved new sanctions on Iran's oil and financial sectors. The sanctions are meant to prevent EU member states from buying Iranian crude or doing business with its central bank. The embargoes are slated to go into force as of July 1. 

The move came after the US imposed new sanctions against Iran on New Year’s Eve with the aim of preventing other countries from importing Iranian oil and conducting transactions with its central bank. 

The US and some Western countries accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear energy program and have used this pretext to push for four rounds of UN sanctions and a series of unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic. 

Iran has repeatedly refuted Western allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. 

Israel uses claims on Iran to cover up domestic woes: Austrian min.

Austria’s Defense Minister Norbert Darabos says Israel seeks to distract attention from its domestic social problems through creating hype over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Pointing to the fact that Iran’s nuclear energy program is not diverted toward building nuclear weapons, Darabos described Israel’s “threats” against Iran as “unnecessary.” 

The Austrian defense minister said Tel Aviv is using inflated claims regarding the Iranian nuclear energy program as well as “the Palestinian issue” to “distract attention from internal social problems.” 

He made the remarks in an interview with the Austrian daily Die Presse on Saturday. 

Darabos warned that an Israeli attack against Iran would trigger a conflagration in the region that could be difficult to control. 

He also described Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman as “unbearable.” 

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear energy program. Washington and Tel Aviv have time and again threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike against its civilian nuclear facilities. 

Iran argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. 

The IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence indicating that Tehran's nuclear energy program has been diverted to nuclear weapons production. 

Iranian officials have promised a crushing response to any military strike against the country, warning that such a measure could result in a war that would spread beyond the region.