PDP Patron and President pay tributes to July 13 martyrs

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the best tribute to the martyrs of 13th July 1931 would be to create circumstances for resolution of Kashmir so that no more lives are lost.

In a statement PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and President Ms Mehbooba Mufti said the party has a clear vision of how to achieve the goals of democratic self rule, economic self reliance and social growth in Jammu and Kashmir. They said the martyrs has risen up against a system that sustained it self on exploitation and denial of democratic rights. The PDP recognizes their great sacrifice and pays glorious tributes to them not only through speeks but by actually working on the ground for a permanent and dignified resolution of Kashmir problem.

Among others who paid their rich tributes to martyrs of 13th July include Senior party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, General secretary Mohd Dilawar Mir, Naeem Akhtar, Mohd Sartaj Madni,  Ab Gaffar Sofi ,Mohd Khalil Bandh, Ab Razaq Zawoora, Syed Bashir Ah, Syed BAsharat Bukhari , Mohd Ashraf Mir and others.

Tarigami calls for self introspection, pays tributes to Martyrs

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Paying rich tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, State Secretary CPI (M), Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said that this historic day calls for introspection from all shades of political opinion in order to safeguard the democratic and secular values for which the martyrs laid their lives.

In a statement issued here today, Tarigami said that the martyrs sacrificed themselves for the cause of dignity of life and upholding the democratic spirit thus paved the way for transformation of society and empowerment of our people.

The sacrifices of the martyrs put an end to autocratic political system which was trampling life, honour and dignity of the people and thereby opened up new chapter in the long march of our people for shaping their better future. We have to ensure that oppressions, tyrannies in every form must be put an end to and ensure that rights guaranteed to the people are not abrogated.

The memorial functions on this day at official and unofficial level should not be shallow and hollow exercises of self-glorification but the occasion of self-introspection. A resolve to fight injustices of all kinds and upholding the democratic values is the only way to pay homage to the martyrs.

Handicrafts have direct bearing on State’s economy: Omar

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday said that revival of Kashmir handicrafts to pristine glory and ameliorating the lot of artisans has been underlined as focused area by his government.

 “Unless substantial remunerations are ensured to the manufacturers of different handicrafts, the holistic growth and development of this sector is not possible”, he said adding that efforts are being made to develop direct liaison between the producers and buyers.

Addressing the awards giving and modern carpet looms distributing function at SKICC here, the Chief Minister said that Almighty has bestowed his blessings to the State in the shape of skilful artisans with magical hands.

 “The works of artisans of the State mesmerise everyone. The lovers of art and craft crave for handicraft items from this place. But we observe that the craftsmen who produce items of world class standard do not receive returns worth their hard work and skill. This aspect needs to be addressed”, he said detailing the initiative taken by his government for developing artisan clusters under the comprehensive Handicraft Cluster Development Scheme.

The Chief Minister said that the various areas in Sher-i-Khas (Old City) have been identified under the scheme to develop various handicrafts and ensure welfare of the artisans and manufacturers by developing their direct contact with the buyers.

Omar Abdullah said that to start with 2 kilometre stretch from Safakadal to Veer is being developed as heritage-street with focused attention on cluster development of artisans under the scheme. The scheme also envisages handicraft market along the street and at the mall to be developed at Chattabal, Veer on Jhelum Bank.

Omar Abdullah said that while unfavourable law and order situation during the 20 years of disturbance has greatly contributed to the decline of Kashmir handicrafts industry, the reduction in tourist flow has also contributed in shattering this important economic activity. He said certain unscrupulous elements indulging in manufacturing of spurious handicrafts have badly affected the reputation of the State.

The Chief Minister made artisans aware of the damage these unscrupulous elements are inflicting upon the handicrafts sector and asked the artisans to beware of these elements. He said majority of artisans and manufacturers are honest and their products are true artefacts of par excellence but the damage being done by handful of dishonest people bring disrespect to entire community. He told the artisans to make honesty benchmark of their activity and isolate those who indulge in malpractices.

Omar said that government would provide all support to the artisans to strengthen and flourish their trade. He said Handicrafts Department has taken various measures to provide necessary succour to the handicraft and handloom sectors in the State.

Speaking on the occasion Minister for Industries, S. S. Salathia spelt out the new initiatives initiated by the Omar-led government to strengthen handicrafts and handloom sectors in the State. He said that 8000 modern carpet looms are being distributed to the deserving carpet weavers. He said 2000 looms will be given to them by December this year.

The Chief Minister handed over sanction letters for modern carpet looms to 50 artisans from 10 districts of the Valley. He also gave awards to the outstanding artisans and craftsmen.

The first awards carrying Rs. 50,000 and a shawl each were received by Khawja Nazir Ali in sozni-embroidery, Mohammad Haneef in paper machie and Mohammad Rafeeq in wood-carving while second awards of Rs. 30,000 each were received by Sajad Hussain Bhat in Sozni, Nazir Ahmad Bhat in paper machie and Rigzin Dorjey in innovative craft and third awards of Rs. 20,000 each were given to Mukhtar Ahmad Baht in sozni, Smt. Masarat in paper machie and Smt. Sona Rupi in Basholi painting.

 Director Handicrafts, Muzaffar Hussain in his welcome address presented the resume of measures taken by the Directorate for the welfare of artisans and the growth of handicrafts sector in the Valley.

CM receives Dalai Lama

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Revered Buddhist Monk Dalai Lama who arrived here today was received by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah at the Srinagar airport.

The Chief Minister welcomed the religious leader and conveyed his good wishes to him. He also enquired about the health of Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama reciprocated the good wishes and prayed for peace, prosperity and development of the State.

DC Anantnag seals nursing home

(VOS)

Anantnag, July 12: Stressing upon the authorities to provide best possible health care facilities to public, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Farooq A Shah today sealed the City Nursing Home near Janglat Mandi here which allegedly lacked the proper registration documents and infrastructure for basic health care and surgeries.

Shah said the health and education sectors will remain his prime focus and the district administration will start a drive to clean the menace of commission based nexus which results in fleecing the suffering poor man.

The DDC said “it will be my endeavor to ensure the delivery of best educational and health care services to the common man of the district in this direction. “We have already set a target to complete the 300 bed hospital in the stipulated time period and a part of which will be made operational till the end of this year”, he sadded.

The Deputy Commissioner later announced Rupees two crore funding from the ministry of tourism GOI to construct the additional blocks at ITI Anantnag “which will be purposely used for imparting the technical and vocational training courses for the unemployed youth of the district”.

Lawyers boycott courts

HCBA to challenge J&K Residential and Commercial Tenancy Act 2012

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Responding to J&K High Court Bar Association call, lawyers today abstained from appearing before courts to protest against enactment of J&K Residential and Commercial Tenancy Act 2012.

Lawyers at J&K High court and the courts subordinate to it suspended their work in protest against the enactment of J&K Residential and Commercial Tenancy Act of 2012 and its proposed applications in the state of J&K, said a statement issued by the Bar Association.

The member lawyers of the J&K High Court Bar Association assembled at Sadder court Complex Srinagar and a general body meeting was convened in which legal, Constitutional and political implications of the Act were discussed, the statement added.

“In the meeting it was unanimously observed that the J&K Residential and Commercial Tenancy Act of 2012 is a harsh law passed by the state legislature which is unjust, unfair and irrational as the Act repeals the Jammu and Kashmir Houses and Shops Rent Control Act 1966 and has taken away the judicial powers of the civil courts with regard to tenancy matters”, read the statement.

“The Act doesn’t provide dispute resolution mechanism and a judicial forum for adjudication of the disputes relating to tenancy. The Act has constitutional, political and legal implications as on one hand the jurisdiction of the civil courts with regard to tenancy disputes is taken away and on the other hand there is no appropriate judicial forum provided in the Act”.

According to legal experts, the Act has public and professional implications as under the Act instead of Judicial officers the powers of adjudication are vested in the hands of Revenue Authorities of the State and civil court jurisdiction is barred. “It is likely to effect the public interest at large and the professional interests of the lawyers in particular, besides denial of fair, impartial and independent justice delivery mechanism”, said the HCBA.

“These legislations are undemocratic, unconstitutional and against the public interest and colonial in nature and spirit to strengthen the bureaucracy and subvert the judicial authority of the courts”, said a HCBA spokesperson. “Therefore, it was unanimously resolved in the meeting that the impugned Act, J&K Residential and Commercial Tenancy Act of 2012 be challenged for being quashed before the Hon’ble High court through the medium of a writ petition and in this behalf a team of Senior Lawyers is constituted by the Executive Committee.”

Sajad Lone expresses grief over Tangmarg accident
(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Peoples’ Conference Chairman, Sajad Lone has expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic accident of school bus carrying children from Khumriyal, Lolab at Tangmarg on Wednesday in which 3 people were killed and 50 others injured.

Sajad Lone who is on a 4-day extensive tour of Kupwara District has stated that the accident is inconsolable and his heart goes out to the parents and families of the deceased and injured. Sajad Lone added that the families of the injured and deceased were not alone in this moment of tremendous grief and the party workers have been instructed to assist the affected in all possible ways.

Stating that the cancellation of the school’s registration on the day when its students were in such a heart rending situation was immature and impulsive and has added to the trauma of the parents and the school teachers.

 Sajad lone added that the entire valley in general and Kupwara District in particular was grieved by this tragedy and stood by the families of those affected.