Education is imperative for development: Lone

Explore hidden capabilities of students: Malik

SRINAGAR, JULY 10:- Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Mr. Mohammad Akbar Lone today said that education is imperative for overall development of the society and every individual should take it as a mission to extend quality education to their children in the educational institutions opened by the government at the doorsteps of the people.

The Speaker was addressing at an impressive function organized by the Government Degree College,(GDC) Sumbal in collaboration with JKPCC first Annual Day Celebration since its establishment.

The function was also attended by the Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment Mr. Abdul Gani Malik.

Lauding the efforts of the college management for bringing sea change in the mindset of the local population by achieving excellence in curricular activities, Mr. Lone said that the college is grooming fast by the dint of hard toil put in by the Principal and her staff members.

 Responding the demands put forth by the college management, the speaker directed the Managing Director, JKPCC to make a proposal for construction of Chowkidar Shed and Canteen having a capacity of 2 halls one each for boys and girls immediately so that the funds could be arranged adding that funds is not problem. He also directed them to start work on these projects within a month. He also assured them that he will provide funds out of his CDF for Science laboratory and Library. With regard to construction of boys hostel, Mr. Lone asked the people to identify the land for the purpose.

The Speaker said that establishment of Degree College at Hajan is under active consideration of the government. He said feasibility report in this regard has been framed.

Appreciating the students who presented cultural items on the occasion, the speaker said that really Hajan has a potential to produce poets, and literary figures. He said talent is present among our students but need is channelize it in a right perspective so that they can compete at national and international levels.   

Minister for Higher Education Mr. Malik said that students need to excel  in academics and extracurricular activities. He said that the culture can only be restored and preserved when new generation is imparted necessary guidance to study history and other basic components of knowledge.

Speaker, Lone deserves lot of appreciation and applause for his all contribution in setting up of this College and also in supervising the functioning of this College to make a finest seat of learning.

After watching the programme presented here, it is evident that the management of the college is doing yoenam service in building confidence among the students. Talent is high in young people but it needs to be explored and exposure is to be given to these young students for making them best citizens of tomorrow, he added.

Mr. Malik also appreciated Principal of the College for her best efforts  in giving  students opportunities to take part in various fields as College is fast growing and it is hoped it will touch the skies in near future.

Responding to demands raised on the occasion, Mr. Malik assured to support the college in respect of construction of auditorium and other necessary infrastructure in the college so that the congenial atmosphere is provided to the students.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Director Higher Education, Managing Director JKPCC , Army officers of 13 RR Kumaon, parents, teachers, staff members and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.

Mian Altaf cautions against machinations of defeated politicians

Address public gatherings in Shopain 

SRINAGAR, JULY 10:-Seeking people’s whole hearted cooperation to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abudllah, the Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmed today reiterated Government’s commitment towards ensuring all round development of the far flung and backward areas of the State adding that the present government is the real well wisher of the people.

Addressing public gatherings at Devpora and Chatipora villages in district Shopian today, Mian Altaf said some defeated political parties are hell bound to underplay the landmark achievements of the Omar led government and are trying in vain to hoodwink public opinion by raising frivolous issues of no public importance. “But the people of the State cannot be swayed away by their machinations and they have firmly defeated their nefarious designs in past also,” Mian Altaf in this connection he referred to the law and order situation created in shopian in previous years and said that the people of the area wisely thwarted the game plan of these elements who wanted to disturb the peace and tranquility in the State and retard. The tempo of development accelerated by the president Government.

Mian Altaf said that the government will launch a vigorous developmental drive under CAMPA in Shopian to create Job avenues for the locals besides preserving the forests and environment in the area. He asked the people to cooperate with the executing agencies to ensure judicious use of public money. “ Only local people will be engaged under CAMPA”, Mian Altaf said while asking the people to supplement government efforts in curbing forest smuggling effectively. He said Rs 1.50 crore will expended in Shopian district  under CAMPA this fiscal. He said forest department will supply 60,000 cft of timber and state forest corporation about 40,000 cft to the people of the district during the current fiscal.

Mian Altaf directed the district administration to utilize the earmarked funds fully to ensure 100% completion of assigned targets. He said that the present government in order to provide responsive administration to the people to redress their grievances speedily implemented the landmark RTI and PSG Acts . “ It is now up to the public to utilize these laws for getting justice and redress  their problems,” Mian Altaf added.

Responding to the demands of the locals, the Minister said that a forest sales depot shall be opened in the area shortly. The People demanded construction of a link road from Devpora to Mugal Road to boost trade and economic activities in the area.

District Development Commissioner, Shopain, Mohammad Javed Khan, DFO Shopain, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, Conservator, Abdul Gani and concerned officers were also present on the occasion.  

Steps taken for making Agriculture as economically viable activity: Mir

            SRINAGAR, JULY 10:- Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir said that Government has taken various steps for the welfare of farmers to make the Agriculture most economically viable activity.

            The Minister said this while interacting with the member of Union Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority, Mr. Karnail singh here today. He said in this direction J&K Government has taken various initiatives which includes to wave off the taxes on Pesticides, fertilisers, seeds and agriculture implements. He said besides this the government is providing various other incentives to the farming community under different   schemes.

            Saying that farmers are playing an important role to strengthening the economy of J&K, Mr Mir asked the farmers to adopt new Agri Techniques for better quality production.  He said the state has huge potential both in agriculture and horticulture sectors and the need of the hour is to harness the potential while infusing latest technology for the purpose.

            Regarding post harvest, the Minister said that the steps are in pipeline to facilitate such facilities among the farmers community for better market return. He said the need of the hour is to have a systematic post harvest plan for the farmers so that they can sell their produce round the year as per the market demand.

Cross-LOC trade signaled beginning of a new era in the sub-continent: Slathia

SRINAGAR, JULY 10:-Maintaining that initiation of trade and travel between the divided parts of the state is one of the most significant Confidence Building Measures (CBM) taken by the governments of India and Pakistan, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr. S.S.Slathia today said that Cross-LOC Trade is the most promising development in recent years to normalize the relations between the two neighbouring countries through enhanced economic and human interactions.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the three day cross-loc trade conference at SKICC here today, the Minister hoped that the enhanced economic interactions through cross-loc trade would also act as a catalyst for ameliorating the conflicts and resolution of the disputes between the two neighbouring countries.

The Conference has been organized by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation with an objective to explore the future possibilities, opportunities and challenges of the Cross-LOC trade by bringing together the stakeholders from both sides of the LOC.

About sixty participants representing various trade and business organizations of J&K and AJK are participating in the conference.

Mr. Slathia said that the initiation of cross- LOC trade across J&K in October, 2005 signaled the beginning of a new era in the sub-continent adding that there was an urgent need to push forward it on sustained basis. Quoting Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh that “ while we cannot change borders, we can make them ir-relevant,” Mr. Slathia said trade and commerce will provide the tools that would make way for an alternate to the direct solution of the problems between both nations.

Mr. Slathia said that the State Government is keen to promote cross-LOC trade adding that the number of trade days have been increased from two to four a week. He said 21 approved trade items are being traded which are guided by a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). In addition, both the countries have established Trade Facilitation Centers (TFCS) near the entry points on both routes. He said efforts are underway to replace present ‘Barter’ System of trade by providing Banking Transaction facility to the traders.

Mr. Slathia assured that the recommendation of the conference will be favorably considered by the Centre and State governments.

Former Union Foreign Secretary, Mr. Salman Haider, Presidents of Joint Chamber of Commerce and industries POK and J&K, Mr. Zulifkar Abbas and Dr. Mubeen Shah, Amit Chadha of Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR) and Ms Sushabha Barve also spoke on the occasion.