Heartening to see education sector growing in J&K: Sibal

Srinagar 21 July (VOS): Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal Saturday said that the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the State has resulted in rapid growth of the Education sector.

“It is heartening to see the enthusiasm towards education has grown in the State as large number of students are enrolling and pursuing higher education through Universities, NITs and other professional institutions”, he said, adding that the Centre and State Government must work together for the welfare of youth of the State.

Addressing the media persons here at the Congress Headquarter, Sibal said Institutions of higher education are showing positive results and large number of on campus placements are taking place as outside companies search for talented youth from Jammu and Kashmir. He said with the establishment of two Central Universities, 18 new polytechnics, remote campuses, enhanced allocation in programmes like SSA, RMSA and special scholarship programme for 25,000 students, the education sector will receive further boost and imputes in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sibal said that with further growth in 3G technology and fiber optics and enhanced Communication and IT connectivity, the education sector is going to see revolutionary changes and the State of Jammu and Kashmir will also receive its due share as Universities and Colleges of the State will be linked with other educational institutions of the Country. He said that with the launching of 2nd version of Aakash PC Tablet, its production will be increased and more and more students will get benefited.

The Union Minister said that Union Government has also de-linked the age factor for the release of 6th pay arrears in respect of teachers making way for the State Government to pay arrears to the teachers. 

Political activists join PDP

Poonch, July 21 (VOS): “A large number of political activist of different parties joined Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Mendhar under the leadership of state General Secretary PDP youth wing Advocate Nadeem Ahmed Khan who had expressed full faith in party manifesto and upon its leadership in Mendhar tehsil, said a PDP press release.

Those who joined the party are Ch Haji Mustaq Lambadar, Abdul Liaqat Member Panchayat , Isthaq Ahmed , Ch. Basher Member, Mohd Iqbal, Mohd Shamim and others, it added.

They have expressed that party policies and disciplinary attitude of PDP workers with respect of their leaders in their heart had attracted them to join the party. Khan stated that the party leadership Mufti Sayeed era has been described as golden period by the many National leaders.

In the meeting it was decided by the Zonal President Haji Mohd Azam Sagar to celebrate party foundation day on 28th july 2012 at Dukbanglow Mendhar with great party spirit and its achievements in short span of time.

E-tendering important tool for transparency: Omar

Srinagar, July 21 (VOS): The initiative of e-tendering and e-procurement put in place by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in PMGSY has shown remarkable impact on transparency and time bound completion of schemes besides saving substantial amounts.

The department has saved Rs. 90 crores in Phase-VII of PMGSY by the introduction of e-tendering besides achieving completion of 600 schemes providing connectivity to 1277 habitations through 3500 kilometers of new roads. This has raised the level of connectivity in the State from 58 to 70 percent.

 The Union Ministry of Rural Development has approved Rs. 1248.15 crores to the State for road development under Phase-VIII which envisages construction of 484 road and 50 bridges schemes involving 2651.23 kilometers benefiting 115 far-flung and remote habitations.

Underlining the need for making e-procurement and e-tendering a rule rather than exception in the government departments, the Chief Minister said that this initiative is proving an important tool to bring transparency, save money and help timely completion of development schemes.

Omar Abdullah also laid stress on bringing all projects under the independent third party monitoring adding that formulation of DPRs should also be brought under the scope of third party monitoring to restrict cost inflations.

Make law enforcement agency of Agriculture deptt more vibrant: Mir to field officers

Srinagar, July 21 (VOS): Taking strong note of poor performance of Directorate of Law Enforcement of Agriculture Production Department, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir today called for making this Law enforcement more vibrant to ensure that farmers would get quality seed, fertilizer and pesticides.

This he said while reviewing the progress of Directorate of Law Enforcement at a high-level meeting this evening. He said the directorate has a vital role in improving the quality of agriculture and horticulture production in the state.

Asking the field officers to work with strong dedication and honesty, The Minister said that “your one mistake would devastate whole crop of the farmer and you have to remain more vigilant and pro active to coup the ill designs of adulterators in our society.”  He assured them that government is at your back and call and urged them to dedicate ourselves for the noble cause of the nation.

Mir said that the interests of the farming community can be take care of by working in coordination with  Directorate Of Law & Enforcement to stop sale of Superiors  fertilisers ,seeds and pesticides by way to take frequent samples of all these products for testing. He asked them to prosecute the adulterators immediately once his and her sample is found misbranded.

Congratulating the officers who have taken the samples of fertilizer for testing by reputed national company, the Minister said it has saved thousands of farmers from use of substandard fertilizers.

The Minister announced that the officers and official who show excellent performance on the ground would be rewarded. He said that our target should to serve the farming community as they are the first one of our growing economy. He also warned that the officers and officials show less performance would be punished.

 Commissioner Secretary, Agricultural Production Shaleen Kabra, Director Agriculture Jammu Ajay Khajuria, Director agriculture Kashmir, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone, Director Horticulture, Saleem Shishghar, Director Law Enforcement, M.S. Katoo, Chief Agriculture and Horticulture officers of the Valley and other senior officers of agriculture and Horticulture were present in the meeting.