Will always welcome return of pandits

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Geelani today said the Chief Minister, his ancestors and the National Conference were responsible for the state’s “occupation” by India.

Geelani, in a statement, reacted point by point to the issues raised by the Chief Minister in a public meeting yesterday in Srinagar.

Criticizing the Chief Minister for his pledge to safeguard Article 370, the Hurriyat Conference Chairman called Article 370 a golden chain around the neck of Kashmiris.

He said whenever the final resolution of Kashmir dispute is discussed, the talks should include all regions of the state as it existed prior to 1947. “China also supports our right to self determination”, he said.

The octogenarian leader called establishing of a separate zone for Kashmiri Pandits in valley an attempt to divide Kashmiris on racial and religious lines.

Syed Ali Geelani said the amalgam was never against return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley but opposed settling them in separate colonies. "We have never opposed return of Kashmiri Pandits, but are against creating separate zones for them. It is an attempt to divide Kashmiris along religious lines, which is harmful to our cause", Geelani said in a statement. Responding to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's statement, Geelani said he was making such statements to earn "brownie points" from the Centre.

"People like Omar raise Kashmir issue only for vote bank politics. Otherwise, they consider Indian occupation of the state as final. They are only interested in power," he added.

Omar, addressing a public rally yesterday, had said that Geelani was misleading people about the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

He had challenged the Hurriyat leader to raise the settling of Pakistanis in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir or bringing back part of the state from China. (VOS)

Mirwaiz grieved over Tangmarg accident deaths

Condemns house arrest of separatist leaders

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and injured whose excursion bus met an accident at Babareshi on Wednesday.

He prayed for the three deceased including students and other dozens of injured. He also prayed for the immediate recovery of the wounded children.

A hurriyat delegation led by Abdul Rashid Untoo, Abdul Majid Wani, Ghulam Qadir Rah,  and Hakim Abdul Rashid on Thursday visited the SMHS hospital and Soura Medical Institute to meet the injured. They also delivered message of APHC Chairman for their immediate recovery and return to good health.

Meanwhile paying rich tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, the hurriyat chairman along with other party leadership would lead peaceful processions towards the martyrs grave yard towards Naqshbandh sahib as has been planned earlier. Later the leaders along with the gatherings would also visit Martyrs grave yard Idd Gah to pay glowing tributes to the martyrs  

The spokesman has sternly condemned the house detention of chairman Mirwaiz umar farooq,Bilal Gani lone, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, and Zaffar Akbar Bhat.

 The spokesman has also condemns the arbitrary detentions of youth at Maisuma.

Baramulla Congress aghast over statements against Taj Mohiuddin

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: Taking a strong note of the statements issued by senior NC leader and former Minister, Dr. Mustafa Kamal against PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control Minister, Taj Mohiuddin condemned the statements terming them uncalled for, irresponsible and unfortunate.

A meeting of the senior workers of District Congress committee was held today at Baramulla under the chairmanship of District President, Mushtaq Nowshehri. The meeting was attended by Block Presidents, tehsil Presidents, Sarpanches and senior workers of the district.

A statement issued after the meeting said not only the state but the whole country, including chief minister omar Abdullah, is appreciative of the work done, competence and hard work done by Taj Mohi ud din. It is due to his sustained efforts that J&K has been able to consolidate its water resources and soon we would be getting back our power projects after the pressure mounted by our leader on central govt. Already the state has been getting Rs. 1000 crore income as water usage charges from NHPC due to the efforts of Taj Mohiuddin.

The statement said at a time when Mr. Kamal should have been counting the achievements of coalition govt., he chose to issue statements which are irresponsible, detrimental to coalition dharma and factually incorrect.

Mir calls for closer coordination between KVK’s, Dev. Departments

Reviews working of KVK’s of Kashmir Division

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: The Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam. Hassan Mir has stressed for closer coordination between SKUAST, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKS), Agriculture & Allied Departments and farmers, so that the dream of Agriculture Revolution 2nd could be translated into reality. This was stated by the Minister while presiding over a meeting to review the physical and financial progress of Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Kashmir Division. He urged upon scientists, field extension agencies of agriculture & allied sectors to improve their efficiency for boosting the agriculture production & productivity. Mir said that establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras is basically aimed to develop area specific technologies which can be fruitfully adopted in the farmers field through extension workers of various development departments. He pointed out that there is coordination deficit between the KVK’s & field departments which is required to be filled up urgently, so that the farmers of the state get benefitted. He called upon Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K & Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production Department to jointly evolve a mechanism for regular monitoring of the working of KVK’s and transfer of technology by development departments.

He said that another review meeting shall be held within 6 months and hoped by that time with closer coordination between KVK’s and departments concerned perceptible change at the ground level will be observed. Minister stressed on the need to develop technology being economically remunerative, ecologically sustainable and productive as well.

He impressed upon the field extension agency of agriculture & allied departments to act as a bridge between lab to land, so that the communication gap from scientists to farming community is bridged for achieving goal. He also urged upon the scientists of SKUAST to work intensively to develop new methods and technologies in the field of agriculture & allied sectors, which will bring economic upliftment of the farming community.

On this occasion Minister of State for Agriculture & Horticulture Javaid Ahmad Dar called upon the agriculture and allied departmental field functionaries for updating the agriculture extension system to disseminate the latest technologies and research to the farmer’s field for boosting production. He said that progress in agriculture and allied sectors is crucial to the overall economic development of state.

Speaking on the occasion Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Dr. Tej Partap said it is the time when field extension agency of agriculture and allied departments & coordinators of “Krishi Vigyan Kendra” work in synergy for boosting the Agriculture which will help to bring reforms in this sector. He said 12 KVK’s are functioning in the Valley and will work in better coordination with development departments to overcome the deficiency which effects the agriculture sector.

Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production Department Shaleen Kabra said that real transformation in the agriculture economy will come with the increase in investment in the sector. He said that Kisan Credit Card will definitely prove the be a useful instrument in this regard and stressed upon the officers of agriculture department to ensure that Kisan Credit Cards are issued to all the farm operating families within the stipulated time frame. He said that SKUAST is doing lot of research work, but should reach out the farmers with modern technology, so that they are being benefited with latest research in agriculture and allied sectors. Among others who were present on the occasion Directors of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Floriculture, Extension SKUAST-K, Coordinators of KVK’s, Chief Officers of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries & Floriculture Departments.

Nasir visits Khumriyal, sympathizes with families of Baba Reshi Accident

(VOS)

Srinagar, July 12: The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani today visited the families of the students, driver and the teacher who died yesterday in a tragic bus road accident at Baba Reshi Tangmarg.

While sympathizing with the bereaved families, Mr. Wani assured that the government would extend all possible help to the families and announced Rs. 1 lakh to the next to the kin of the died persons and Rs. 25,000 each for those who received grievous  injuries in the accident.

The Minister also directed the Health Department to provide every possible medicare facilities to the injured at an earliest. He was accompanied by senior officers of district administration.