SRINAGAR, TUESDAY, 12 MUHARRAM 1434 AH ; 27 NOVEMBER 2012
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Governance in J&K rotting under
present dispensation: Mufti
Power supply has hit worst levels;
people want to get rid of this anarchist regime
Wachi (Shopian), Nov 26: Blaming Omar
Abdullah-led government for pushing Jammu and Kashmir into a state of political
and governance morass, PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed today said with the
support of people his party can pull the State out of present anarchy and rot and
put the decaying system of governance back on track.
“The present dispensation has exposed
the State to the worst failures both on institutional and governance fronts and
people now desperately want to get rid of this anarchist regime, sooner the
better,” Mufti said while addressing a day-long PDP workers convention here.
He said plagued by ineptitude, disorder
and corruption, the political structure of the present coalition government has
completely collapsed resulting in the paralysis of the state’s administrative
structure as well. “And it is a pity that the Chief Minister instead of
improving his performance is busy blaming everybody except his own ways for
putting the state and its people into this quagmire,” he said.
The PDP Patron said inability of the state
government to effectively respond to the problems of the people could
contribute to the feeling of political alienation and anger which has already
started among the masses.
Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir needs a
total change now and with people’s support PDP will bring it as the party is
spearheading the movement for change. “People’s will could never be ignored or
overruled in a democratic system and the movement started by PDP for
resolution, democracy, empowerment and governance would be taken to its logical
conclusion,” he said.
Expressing dismay over the worst power
crisis being faced by the people across the state in general and twin districts
of Pulwama and Shopian in particular, Mufti said the electricity supply has hit
the worst levels since 2002, before which also the NC government had ensured
that the state is starved of electricity. “While power tariff has been hiked
manifold but the supply is decreasing everyday, the power reforms initiated by
the previous government have been shelved, no new infrastructure is being
development in the transmission and distribution sector and the chief minister
continues to blame the consumers and the department for the crisis,” he said.
Condemning the wanton use of force
against protesters in Pulwama who were demanding proper power supply, Mufti
accused the NC-led government of always having let loose a reign of terror on
the people even for demanding basic amenities. “Ironically, when in June 1988
nine persons were killed in Srinagar when police opened fire on people
protesting power tariff hike, in the 7.30 pm news bulletin on the radio that
evening, the then Chief Minister was quoted to have dubbed the hapless victims
as Pakistani agents,” he said.
Mufti said it is not understandable as
to how the present government managed the reversal of the power situation which
had shown remarkable improvement under the previous coalition government, “We
had several winters between 2002 and 2008 as well, but we assured uninterrupted
power to metered areas and restricted load shedding schedules for the rest”, he
said and added that though on one hand the government claims to have received
huge funds and additional power from the central government, the supply
position had only worsened .
Accusing the coalition government in the
state of using Sarpanchs and Panchs as political tools, Mufti said when it
comes to the empowerment of Panchayat representatives, there is no tangible
action on that count.
“Sarpanchs and Panchs have their own
dignity and are an institution within. They have been elected by 80% of the
people but the government has insulted and humiliated them as no step has been
taken for their real empowerment”, he said and added that the state government
after having undermined the authority of Panchayat representatives is now
further belittling them by trying to buy their votes for Legislative Council
polls
Besides PDP legislators, Abdul Rehman
Veeri and Abdul Razaq Zawoora, party functionaries Showkat Gayoor, Ghulam
Mohi-ud-Din, Ghulam Hassan and Mohsin also addressed the convention.
Taj writes to Forest Minister
Asks for constitution of committee to
probe land grab charges
‘Ready to part with forest land, if
any’
Srinagar, Nov 26 (VOS): Caught amidst
unending controversies, Minister for PHE and Irrigation, Taj Mohiudddin today
asked the state’s Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad to constitute a committee of
officials to probe into allegations of land grab against him.
In a letter addressed to the Forest
Minister, Taj has asked Mian Altaf to constitute a joint committee of forest
officials and revenue officials to inquire into the charges of land grab
against him.
“I shall be thankful, if you please
look into the matter personally and get a joint committee of Revenue/Forest
Departments constituted to demarcate the land under reference once again, in
order to clinch the issue once for all, so that the records are put straight
and un-necessary coverage through print/electronic media, which tends to
undermine my image, due to the vilifications campaign launched against me that
takes years to built”, read the letter circulated to media through e mail.
Taj ha also volunteered to part with
any part of the land under his possession if found to be belonging to the
forest department.
“Besides, if the committee comes to the
conclusion that any portion of Forest Land is under my occupation as per the
records, which is not so, the same may be withdrawn”, the letter adds.
“The allegations being made speak of
malafide,intentional and personnel enmity just to tarnish/injure my reputation
and defame me as a Minister. It seems that there are certain quarters inimical
to my person hell-bent to tarnish my image.They are telling the lies like
“Goebbels Truth” and giving just a belief of being it a truth ”,Taj laments in
the letter.
Taj has claimed in the letter that the
issue was looked into by the Accountability Commission in the year September,
2005 and probed by Vigilance Organization, Kashmir in the year 2011 conveying
that there was no Forest land grabbed.
“As you are aware that the mere
presence of conifer trees does not make it a forest like some sparrows do not
make a summer.”, the letter reads.
He has also accused the forest
officials of claiming revenue land as forest land without initiating actual
demarcation of land.
“The relevant entries in the revenue
record stands made in the year 1984. The related documents dated 12.03.1984
along with communication No. 1459/PCC dated 23.10.1985 of Conservator of
Forests, Kashmir, South Circle addressed to DFO, Shopian Division and letter No.
956-57/OG dated 14.10.1985 from Tehsildar Shopian to the address of Deputy
Commissioner, Pulwama with a copy to DFO Shopian and copy of Form 25 in the
matter are enclosed. Besides, worth to mention that the relevant documents
under “Roshni Act” stands as well deposited in respect of
my land at Sedow, Shopian”, the letter reads.
Meanwhile, Taj Mohiuddin while talking
to VOS confirmed that he had written a letter to the Forest Minister to set up
a committee for investigating charges of land grab against him. He said he had
done so to rest the matter once and for all in view of reports appearing in a
Jammu based newspaper today.
VOS tried to contact, Forest Minister
Mian Altaf Ahmad for comments, however, despite repeated attempts could not be
reached. However, sources close to the forest minister told VOS that the letter
had not reached the minister yet. (VOS)
Mir expresses solidarity with fire
victim families of Pahalgam
Srinagar, Nov 26: Minister for
Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir has expressed his grief and anguish over the
fire incident in Frislan, Pahalgam in which several structures including
residential houses were gutted recently.
Mir has assured the affected families
that government will provide all possible assistance to these families so that
they are able to reconstruct their houses as soon as possible.
Drive against polythene intensified at
Kupwara
Kupwara, Nov 26: The
Additional District Development Commissioner, Kupwara, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat
today started a drive against the use of non-biodegradable polythene at
Kupwara. A large number of people including citizens, traders and shopkeepers
participated in the Anti-Polythene drive
The Executive Officer, Municipal
Committee, Kupwara and Food Safety Officer also participated in the rally with
banners and posters.
While addressed the rally at Ragipora,
he asked for the co-operation to curb the use of polythene so that the
environment is saved from the hazardous effects of the polythene.
On the occasion, 10 quintals of
polythene were seized from the shopkeepers and destroyed.
Omar visits
Frislan, meets fire sufferers
ANANTNAG,
NOVEMBER 26:- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday morning visited Frislan
village in Pahalgam of Anantnag district where dozens of houses have been
gutted in a devastating fire.
The
Chief Minister met the fire sufferers, conveyed his sympathy and expressed deep
grief over the incident. The Chief Minister visited the village to take
personal account of the incident and get first hand appraisal of the magnitude
of damage to the property and the status of help being provided to the
sufferers by the district administration.
The Chief Minister
was accompanied by the Minister of Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar. A team
of Ministers comprising Mian Altaf Ahmed and Sakina Itoo yesterday visited the
village under the instruction of Chief Minister and took stock of the magnitude
of damage and the necessary help being provided by administration to the
affected families.
Sham chairs
PC&PNDT Act State Supervisory Board meeting
Insertion of 3 yr
imprisonment clause in existing rules endorsed
JAMMU, NOVEMBER 26:
The Government has decided to add teeth to the existing Pre-Conception and
Pre-Natal Sex Selection/Determination Act (PC&PNDT) by making certain
amendments in the existing rules to incorporate the provision of three years
imprisonment and fine up to rupees fifty thousand on the person found running
unregistered clinics.
The Jammu and Kashmir
State Supervisory Board (SSB) for PC&PNDT Act proposes recommendations to
make amendments in the rules by inserting a clause in Rule 11 (2) of the
PC&PNDT rules 2006 on the lines of amendment made by the government of
India, which also provides for the confiscation of equipments of the unregistered
Ultra Sound Clinics, were today agreed upon at a meeting of the Board, with the
Minister for Health, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma in the chair.
The meeting also endorsed the recommendation to introduce medical
audit of the Ultrasound clinics- centres to ensure proper monitoring of such
clinics under the PC&PNDT Act.
The medical audit of
clinics would include scrutiny of records in respect of all pre-conception or
pregnancy related procedures to curb the rampant misuse of medical technology
for sex-selection. Accordingly the appropriate authorities at Divisional and
District levels under PC&PNDT Act shall conduct regular medical audit of
the records and the department shall devise a mechanism and issue necessary
orders for implementation of medical audit of all US Clinics/Centres.
Speaking on the
occasion, the Minister, who is also the Ex-Officio Chairman of the State
Supervisory Board, called for seeking the support of Civil Society to deal with
the grave issue. He said that efforts of the government alone are not adequate
to deal with this sensitive issue and people from all the sections of the
society have to play their part to make the people aware about the consequences
of such evil practice.
Mr. Sham Lal stressed
to start a massive campaign by involving religious priests for educating the
people in Mosques, Temples, Gurdawaras and Churchs, during the sermons for
creating awareness against the female feticide, domestic violence and other
crimes against the woman. For this purpose, the Minister asked
both the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu to approach the
religious leaders of the State in this regard.
The Minister also
stressed for wide-publicity of the programmes being implemented in the State
under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) through various means, including
Information Department/Song and Drama Division, PIB, Cultural Academy and local
theatre groups, for which the funds are available.
MLA Bimla Luthra also shared her views on the subject and
suggested for making the regulatory mechanism more effective to curb this evil.
Mission Director
NRHM, Jammu, Dr, Yashpal Sharma gave a brief Power Point Presentation
highlighting the functioning of the State Supervisory Board, trends of the sex
ratio in the State and various initiatives
underway under NRHM.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mr. Pardeep Gupta, Divisional
Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hussain Samoon, Secretary Health and Medical
Education Mr. M. K. Devidi, Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Madhu Khullar,
Director ISM Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Special Secretary Law Mrs. Farhat Tabasum, Nodal Officer PC&PNDT Dr. Nighat Yasmeen, senior
officers of Law, Health, Social Welfare Departments, heads of various units of
Health, Medical Education Departments and senior Doctors, Radiologists attended
the meeting.
J&K Bank convenes
87th SLBC
Ensure
100% coverage of Farmers under KCC
Improve
lending to priority sector: CS
JAMMU, NOVEMBER 26-
Flagging 100% coverage of farmers in J&K state under Kissan Credit Card
(KCC) scheme as Governments top priority, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal during
the 87th meeting of J&K
State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) held here today directed the state
agricultural and revenue departments to adopt concrete methodologies in
cooperation with banks to accelerate the pace and complete the target within
the stipulated time frame.
“There is a dire need to invest in building a
mechanism whereby real time information is made available for data to be
reconciled and gaps addressed. This will also ensure huge improvement in
sponsorship, sanction and disbursement of cases within the stipulated time”
Chief Secretary observed.
“Lending to the priority sector has to improve”
he stressed, urging departmental functionaries for their proactive role to
access additional resources and stressed on having a relook at the entire
processes hindering tangible results to accrue and take steps to adjust
accordingly. He called for developing new working relationships at various
operational levels and between institutions to address shortfalls.
“Under the Priority Sector Banks have extended
credit facilities aggregating Rs 2,403.08 crore in favour of 1, 60,204
beneficiaries against annual target of Rs.6, 094.50 crore for 3, 54,302
beneficiaries during Q2 of the financial year 2012-13, achieving 39% of the
annual target in financial terms” Chairman J&K Bank Mushtaq Ahmad informed
the 87th SLBC, while
presenting a report on performance of the banks.
Under agriculture sector banks have achieved
62%, Micro & Small Enterprises Sector 33%, Micro Credit Sector 27%,
education sector 22% and under the Housing sector Banks have registered
33% achievement in financial terms, he said adding that J&K Bank has
disbursed Rs 1566.31crore to the priority sector which accounts for 50% of the
total priority sector credit disbursed by all banks in the state.
Regarding Credit Deposit Ratio, Chairman said
that C D Ratio of banks in the State as on September 2012 stood at
36.53%. He reiterated that
the CD Ratio of the State would be enhanced to the minimum level of 40%, urging
the banks to put in extra efforts to achieve the desired target. He also called
for creating a responsive credit climate by legislating the SARFAESI Act.
Responding to the issue of timely release of
subsidy Principal Secretary, Planning & Development, B B Vyas said that
steps will be taken to rationalize the system of release of subsidy and invited
bank representatives to come forward so that the best possible arrangement is
worked out.
Performance under major Government sponsored
schemes including NRLM, PMEGPY, JKSES, SJSRY and SC/ST/OBC, financing under
Annual credit Plan, Handicraft/Handloom sector, Self Help Group (SHG) Scheme
etc were reviewed and discussed during the meeting with directions to register
further improvement.
Extension of Swabhimaan including District Wise
Service Area Plan, Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Scheme
and Branch Expansion Plans of Banks in J&K State were also reviewed in the
87th SLBC meeting today
Akhoon reviews
stock position in Valley
About Rs. 13 lakh
realized as fine from the erring shopkeepers
SRINAGAR,
NOVEMBER 26: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Mr. Qamar
Ali Akhoon took stock of essential commodities in a meeting of officers held
here in Winter Secretariat today.
The meeting was attended by the Director CA&PD, Kashmir, Regional Transport
Officer, Kashmir, Controller, Metrology, General Manager, State Road Transport
Corporation and other officers.
While reviewing the stock position in Valley, the Minister was apprised that
36,377 metric tons of rice, 12049 metric tons of atta and 3413 metric tons of
sugar have been dumped in various outlets in the Valley. He was also informed
that 7280 kiloliters of petrol, 8860 kiloliters of diesel and 4860 kiloliters
of kerosene oil besides 281570 gas cylinders are available in the Valley.
On this occasion, the Minister was also informed that the ration quota of three
months for far flung areas of Keran, Gurez, Karnah, Machil and other far off
places have already been dispatched.
While reviewing the achievements of Metrology Department, the Minister was
apprised that 2644 challans were made against the erring traders and about Rs.
13 lakhs were recovered as fine besides Rs. 24,08,443/- were recovered as Stamp
fee from the traders.
The Minister directed the CA&PD officers to gear up the market checking so
that the people may not suffer from hoarding and black marketing.
Mr. Qamar also instructed the Transport authorities for arranging late
transport facilities during evening hours in the city as well as other areas
during the ensuing winter.
Arrangements
finalized for celebrating Guru Purab
SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER
26:- On the eve of birthday of Shri Guru Naank DevJi a meeting of officers of
various departments was convened under the chairmanship of District Development
Commissioner, Srinagar Mr. Baseer Ahmad Khan here today.
On the occasion,
officers of SMC, PDD, PHE, Health, Police, Traffic, CA&PD and
representatives of GurduwaraPrabandak Committee were present.
Mr. Khan directed
the officers to ensure the availability of necessary facilities including
proper sanitation, cleanliness besides, essentials especially LPG, Sugar and
Kerosene oil for the devotees.
He also directed
the officers to ensure proper water supply, uninterrupted supply of electricity
and lighting arrangement at Gurduwaras.
The District
Development Commissioner also directed the officers of Health department to
setup medical camp besides, making available the ambulances and other first aid
facilities to the devotees on the occasion.
It was informed
that arrangements have also been finalized regarding smooth traffic and parking
facilities.
He assured the
representatives of the GurduwaraPrabandak Committee that LPG, Kerosene oil,
Sugar and other essential commodities shall be made available on the occasion.
Farm Machinery Mela
held at Pattan
Incentive of Rs.
1.10 Crore to be provided to Farmers
BARAMULLA, NOVEMBER 26: Traditional style of Agriculture should give way
to modern high-tech Agriculture & mechanization to boost agriculture
production. This was stated by District Development Commissioner Baramulla Gh.
Ahmad Khawaja while inaugurating “Farm Machinery Mela” held at Pattan today. He
said that coordination between Agriculture Department and farmers can achieve
state self sufficiency in agriculture sector. He stressed upon farmers to
achieve maximum returns from cultivable land. He said that key challenges
confronting agriculture is to produce food grains for growing population in
sustainable manner. He said that our thrust area is to introduce latest
technical knowhow to agriculture sector to yield good results in production, which
helps farming community to upgrade thier of economic status. He advised farmers
to adopt organic farming which will be eco friendly and less hazardous.
District Development Commissioner appreciated the efforts of Agriculture
Department for organizing such Melas.
On this occasion
Chief Agriculture Officer Hilal Ahmad Bhat called upon farmers to come forward
and take benefits of the various schemes launched by Agriculture Department. He
said that today’s “Farm Machinery Mela” shall provide opportunity to farmers to
interact with the experts of various fields, besides availing benefits of
various schemes.
In the Mela several
authorized dealers displayed different kinds of machinery equipments & other
tools. Farmers of Sub Division Pattan purchased 7 Tractors, 10 Tillers, 45
Irrigation Pump Sets, 14 Foot Sprayers, for which Rs. 12.26 Lakh and under
Vegetable Cluster Programme, 52 Mechanized Carts, 350 Manually Operated Carts,
250 Polygreen Houses, besides 10 Pack Houses & 50 Vermi-compost Units will
be established for Rs. 98 Lakh Subsidy will be provided.
Among others
officers & field functionaries of the department, a large number of farmers
belonging to Sub Division Pattan were present on the occasion.
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