SRINAGAR,MONDAY,14 RABI AL SAANI 1434 AH ; 25 FEBRUARY 2013

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                STATE
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LC Elections:

Sensing trouble coalition lobbying hard to garner support

Soz meets ‘3^rd front’ leaders, BJP MLA’s deny support to Dudha

Srinagar, Feb 24 (VOS):  Sensing possibility of one seat of the state Assembly’s upper house slipping out of its hands, the NC-Congress coalition today renewed efforts for ensuring victory of its candidates on 3 LC seats of the Kashmir division.

According to reliable sources, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President, Saifuddin Soz today called upon the “third front” leaders in an effort to garner support for coalition candidates in Legislative Council elections slated for March 7.

“Prof Soz met the third front leaders including Hakim Yasin and Gulam Hassan Mir to get an assurance of their support to the NC-Congress candidates in the LC elections”, the sources said. The leaders have given assurances of their support to the coalition candidates, they added.

When contacted, Prof Soz confirmed his meetings with PDF President, Hakim Muhammad Yasin and other leaders in view of the LC elections. “We won’t take any chances to ensure victory of our candidates. We are in touch with various leaders and we are very much sure that our candidates will win”, he added. Pertinently, Congress is not taking the fight lightly keeping in view the fact that its candidate Gulam Nabi Monga had lost the LC elections by just one vote during previous council elections.

Meanwhile, PDF President, Hakim Yasin confirmed to VOS that Prof Soz had called upon him. “However, I have made no commitments regarding support to their candidates. We will discuss and decide about supporting candidates who we feel deserve our support”, Yasin told VOS. However, CPI (M) State Secretary M Y Tarigami said he was not contacted by anyone in this regard. “I am not aware about it as I am presently out of state”, Tarigami said on phone.

With uncontested election for three seats of Jammu division, election would be held for five seats of the Upper House (four of Kashmir division and one seat reserved for Doda district) on March 7.

Five candidates in fray for four seats of Kashmir division include Muzaffar Parray (Congress), Abdul Majeed Bhat Larnoo and Showkat Hussain Ganai (both National Conference), Nayeem Akhter Andrabi (PDP) and Shiban Krishen Dudha (Independent). For Doda reserve seat, there would be direct contest between Naresh Gupta (Congress) and Mohammad Iqbal (NPP). Gupta’s victory is certain going by the numbers the NC-Congress Alliance has in the Assembly.

However, the political observers are keeping fingers crossed over the outcome of one of the four seats from the Valley. As per the mathematical calculations, each candidate has to secure at least 18 votes for making it to LC from Kashmir valley. National Conference-Congress coalition has 45 MLAs as such it can sail through on two of the seats. Similarly, Peoples Democratic Party’s lone candidate Nayeem Akhtar is also expected to make it as his party has 21 members in the Lower House.
However, Shiban Krishan Dudha, an independent candidate - believed to be backed by PDP and some of the MLAs from yet to be formed third front – was believed to have all potential to spurn a surprise from the Valley.

According to reliable sources, Dudha has been able to get the support from the yet to be formed third front.

With Dudha already having been expressed support by 10 MLAs, support from the 11 BJP MLAs would have made it certain for him to bag one seat from the valley, leaving future of one of the coalition candidates from valley uncertain.

However, the election of the lone Kashmiri Pandit candidate to the LC seems to have gone into rough weather with the coalition making an all out effort to garner support for its candidates. The coalition seems to have convinced the all important BJP legislators to either support its candidates or abstain from voting.

Leader of the BJP’s rebel group, Chaman Lal Gupta said that the rebel BJP MLA’s have not decided yet whom to support. However, he dismissed reports of their having pledged support to the Independent candidate. When asked whether any party or group had approached them for their support in the elections, “No one had come so far. But yes, some youth had come to me asking for support to Dhudha but I refused”, he said.

Meanwhile BJP leader Ashok Khajuria made it clear that the 4 BJP MLAs would abstain from the voting on March 7. Political observers believe the abstention by the BJP members would in all certainty bail out the coalition candidates, election of one of whom had otherwise been put into jeopardy by the Independent candidate.  (VOS)

 Return of Afzal’s body:

Separatist Org’s coordination committee meets

‘Return of body single point demand, arrests and detentions on agenda’

Srinagar, Feb 24 (VOS): In an effort to chalk out a joint strategy for return of Muhammad Afzal Guru’s body, various separatist and religious organizations today met here to discuss modalities of a joint programme.

The meeting which was apart from the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference, was attended by representatives of Hurriyat (M), Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamaat e Islami and Dukhtaran e Millat, sources told VOS.

However, no representative from Hurriyat (G) was able to make it to the venue of the meeting due to some unknown reason, the sources added.

According to sources, the representatives of various groups decided to frame a common programme for demanding the return of the body of parliament attack convict, Muhammad Afzal Guru, who was secretly executed at Delhi’s Tihar Jail on February 9.

“Various issues were discussed and it was decided that the common programme will stand on one point demand for return of Guru’s body, which will be announced soon. The parties have also decided to demand stoppage of spree of detentions, excesses and arrests of youth across the valley”, the sources said.

Without revealing names of those who participated in the meeting, the sources added that the meeting will continue tomorrow (Monday) in an effort to finalize the programme. (VOS)

 Return of Afzal’s body:

Hakim Yasin rubbishes PM’s statement; will support resolution

BJP says issue pertains to Govt, courts

Srinagar, Feb 24 (VOS):  Dismissing the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement where he had said return of body of Muhammad Afzal Guru would be debated in parliament; People’s Democratic Front (PDF) President Hakim Muhammad Yasin said the statement was akin to rubbing salt on wounds of Kashmiris.

“Where is the scope or need for a debate? Denying the family its rights on the body of Afzal Guru is inhuman and unconstitutional. The body should have been returned to the family”, said Yasin while talking to VOS on Sunday.

He said there was no need for the government to debate the issue in the parliament.

“The decision should have been taken by now. This is like rubbing salt on wounds of the family and all Kashmiris”, he added

Ruing the fact that the parliament attack convict had not been given a fair chance to defend himself in the court, the PDF Chairman said his party would support any resolution brought into the assembly for return of the body. “We will definitely support the resolution as possession of the body is the legal and constitutional right of the family. We will take up the issue in all the forums that we go to or speak on”, said Hakim Yasin.

Meanwhile, the state unit of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) wished to stay away from the issue of resolution on return of the body. “We don’t want to get into the issue as it does not pertain to us. It pertains to the government and the courts”, said BJP’s Ashok Khajuria. (VOS)

Ratanpuri denied ‘meet in isolation’ with Geelani

Geelani’s house detention not our decision: Delhi Police Chief

Relatives demand his shifting to Sgr, say ‘detained on State Govt orders’
Srinagar, Feb 24 (VOS):  A day after the relatives of Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani accused authorities in New Delhi of imposing severe restrictions on him, National Conference leader and Member Parliament, Gulam Nabi Ratanpuri was Sunday denied a meet in isolation with the octogenarian leader at New Delhi.

The first time MP from South Kashmir told VOS over phone that he was not allowed to meet the aged couple at their Malviya Nagar residence where Geelani has been put under house arrest since February 09, soon after parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru was secretly executed.

“They did not allow me to talk to him in isolation even after I revealed my identity to them. But ironically when they allowed me, I was kept on the door and Geelani was told to talk to me in presence of the police personnel ‘as if I was a suspect’”, Ratanpuri told VOS over phone from New Delhi.

He said that his repeated calls to Delhi Police Commissioner were left unanswered which made the situation even more embarrassing for him.

Ratanpuri said that Geelani had not been served any formal orders for detention by police in the national capital. “He told me that no orders had been served to him and that he had been illegally detained”, Ratanpuri said.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police on Sunday denied any direct role in the decision making regarding Geelani’s house detention at New Delhi ,saying, ‘imposing restrictions on the Hurriyat leader was not their unilateral decision, and the ailing leader would be released’.
“We did not take this decision on our own”, Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar told VOS over Phone on Sunday. He was responding to a query as to why the Delhi Police was not revisiting the decision even after Hurriyat (G) had withheld their protest program last week.

The Delhi Police commissioner, however, did not elaborate as to who the final decision making authority was on the affairs relating to Geelani in New Delhi. He added that he would try to find out the facts regarding the issue.
Pertinently J&K Police Chief Ashok Prasad had a few days back said that if Geelani faction of Hurriyat desisted from issuing Protest Calendars, State Police would have no objection in removing curbs on Geelani’s movement.
However Kumar told VOS that he would look into the matter, when asked for a word on the Ratanpuri Incident. “I will find out the facts and get back to you.”  Police Commissioner told VOS.

Meanwhile, close relatives of Geelani today demanded that the ailing separatist leader be shifted to Srinagar in view of his health issues.

“We are deeply concerned regarding his health and we want to keep track of his health. We have no contact with Geelani Sahab. If Omar Abdullah Govt is happy in keeping him under detention, so be it. But they should shift him to Srinagar”, demanded one of the relatives.

The relatives of Geelani claimed that the Hurriyat (G) Chairman had been detained and strict restriction imposed on him on the instance of State Government. (VOS)

 For Autonomy NC will have to walk on our dead bodies: BJP

“Will unfurl tricolor on Civil Sectt”

Srinagar, Feb. 24 (VOS): Claiming that autonomy document of National Conference (NC) could only be implemented on their dead bodies; Bharti Janta Party (BJP) today demanded repeal of Article 370. The party and reiterated its intention to furl tricolor on civil secretariat replacing the state and NC flag.

While warning of bloodshed in the State and asking the NC to ‘shut its mouth’ on autonomy demand, senior BJP leader Ashok Khajuria said, “It (NC) has to walk over dead bodies of BJP MLA’s for the restoration of autonomy”.

Reiterating the commitment to furl the tricolor in civil secretariat replacing State and NC flag, he said, “We demand the repeal of Article 370 and it’ll be done in near future”.

Criticizing the state Government for deporting VHP leader Praveen Togadia from Jammu airport, he said, “We’re in democracy and everyone has a right to express his views and to move freely anywhere in the Country. It is a blunder on part of the state government”. When told that a case also stands registered against Togadia for creating communal disharmony through hate speeches, “Law is there to take action and to book the accused”, he said.

When asked whether Syed Ali Shah Geelani also had the right to express his views and move freely in a democracy, he said “Geelani is speaking about Jihad and division of country”.

BJP said Abdullah family should sit in a room to decide as to what they actually want. He said ‘Uncle, father and son were making conflicting statements within the family and acting as astray children’.

“NC is a party of divided family (members) where uncle (Dr. Mustafa Kamaal), father (Dr. Farooq Abdullah) and son (Omar Abdullah) are speaking different languages. It doesn’t have any particular vision. All of them should sit in a family room to decide what they actually want”, said senior leader BJP Ashok Khojuria.

Meanwhile, leader of rebel MLA’s of BJP Chaman Lal Gupta said that NC is living in fool’s paradise. “It might have got autonomy had it been serious about it. NC is creating the drama for its vote bank”, said Gupta. “NC has closed the chapter of autonomy much earlier and accepted that it (Autonomy) will never happen”, he added.  (VOS)

 Omar visits Hazratbal Shrine, reviews expansion plan on spot

Srinagar, Feb 24:  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday visited Hazratbal Shrine and reviewed the expansion and beautification plan of Hazratbal shrine on the spot.

The Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Vice Chairman Waqaf Board, Prof. M. Y. Qadri and various members of Waqaf Board were accompanying the Chief Minister.

Omar Abdullah who is also Chairman of Waqaf Board directed early formulation of the expansion plan so that it could be discussed in the next Waqaf Board meeting. He said in order to facilitate devotees and make the surroundings of Hazratbal shrine more beautiful a well planned expansion programme is the need of the hour. He asked Waqaf Board to take early action in this regard.

Omar Abdullah also paid obeisance at the shrine and prayed for peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Guru’s execution rendered situation unfavourable for PRs: AJKPC

“Many panchs, sarpanchs have migrated to Jammu”
Ready to address problems of panchs, sarpanchs: Authorities

Srinagar, Feb 24 (VOS):  Terming the hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru as the worst setback for the panchayat intuitions in the state, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference President Shafiq Mir said, “The hanging of Afzal guru has sent a wrong message in the valley which has made the circumstance unfavourable and tough for Panchs and Surpanchs”.

Holding state government and the Chief Minister directly responsible for the present condition of Panchs and Surpanchs Mir said, “Right from the beginning government made hollow promises to us whether it is regarding empowerment or security. On ground nothing has been done for us till now. Jammu and Kashmir government does not want to give any powers to anybody. They in reality don’t want the Panchat system to exist at all”, Mir told VOS on Sunday.

“Members of political parties have all the security and it is easy for them to talk in their tight security zones. Even the nephews of politicians have been provided security though we had several times communicated to the chief minister and even the governor but we were left unheard”, he added.

Shafiq Mir said the recent resignations of panchayat members in Shopian indicate every possibility that the trend may spread across the valley. “I have myself received many calls from many Panchs and Surpanchs and I am afraid if nothing is done the whole Panchayat system would crumble down”, Mir said.

“Hundreds of Panchs living in sensitive areas have taken refuge in Jammu as the situation has become threatening for them”, he told VOS.

When contacted, Com Secretary Home Suresh Kumar said no such thing has been officially reported and there is no visible threat. “Still the practice of night patrolling is being carried out jointly by Army police and CRPF. If someone has himself gone to Jammu we can do nothing in that”, he added.

 Meanwhile IGP Kashmir talking to VOS said, “Afzal’s hanging has not created any new threat which would compel the Panchs or Surpanchs to leave the valley. If someone has any threat perception he can come to us as we are ready to address his problem”. (VOS)

 Police Bill could lead to an Ikhwani state: PDP
Mehbooba opposes it in its present form

Srinagar Feb 24: Describing the proposed Police Bill as an attempt to institutionalise the dreaded Ikhwan culture in the state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said it would strongly oppose its passage in the present form. In a statement issued here today the party president Mehbooba Mufti said police in the state definitely is in need of drastic reforms but many provisions in this bill are undemocratic and anti people and will take the state back to medieval times when khaki uniform struck terror in the hearts of people.

Mehbooba said J&K has the dubious distinction of having been reduced to a police state outside the democratic system of the country but the proposed bill would actually covert it to a lawless state. If this Bill is allowed to pass in its present form we will have an Ikhwani state in which the thanedar and not the democratic institutions or the elected representatives will set the rules of the society, she said. "On the one hand the government is making noises on scrapping the AFSPA and on the other it is proposing to provide similar immunity and unbridled powers to its own police and taking them out of all civilian control and guidance"she said.

Mehbooba said the proposal to create special security zones (SSZs) and legalisation of Village Defence Committees which could be administered according to the discretion of the police through SPOs is dangerous for any society but for a conflict ridden area it could be a sure prescription for continuing the disturbed conditions and denial of basic rights.
She said police in fact needs to be brought out of the colonial mindset and practices that were followed by feudal forces to stay in power and the objective of any new law should be to make it more accountable to democratic institutions, people friendly and socially oriented. The proposed law unfortunately negates any such purpose, she said.
Mehbooba said this draft legislation has all the criteria of a systematic undermining of democracy: namely, the abdication of authority to security forces by an elected government, military-style 'civilizing' of civilian society by insultingly presuming to teach them how to stand in line, urinate and defecate . It also has ring of an effort to appease the muscular nationalists in Delhi with an argument against AFSPA by morphing it into a "non-military" AFSPA that is supposedly willed by "the peoples" of our state.

  Mehbooba said many backdoor offences have been included to increase the criminal liability of the Public. "It not just means taking people to jail for petty offences but is also a negation of social policing and larger public morality. If this Bill passed then a person can be jailed for wrong parking, cleaning furniture in a public place, urinating on the road side, not caring for pets, overtaking and breaking a queue for essential supplies"she cautioned. She said for a state which doesn't have a single public urinal anywhere and very few parking places these provisions only point to government's insulting and feudal attitude towards its people.

Pointing out that the Bill provided for arrest of a person in case of non-rendering of assistance to a Police Officer, Mehbooba said this government is unable to look beyond repressive measures to run the state and treats everybody as a criminal. She said we are living in an era of democracy and the laws have to conform to the basic principle of respecting every individual's rights. She said the PDP would not allow any further erosion of people's rights and would strive harder for their empowerment.

Mehbooba said the government had deliberately chosen this time for inviting suggestions on the bill when means of communication have been severely restricted. She said the backdrop of Afzal Guru's  hanging should have led the government to introspect on the effects of having an unjust system which alienated a generation of youth and forced them to take to arms. " It is this system that ultimately pushed Guru to gallows that prevailed in the state before 2002 and which the present government is trying to revive and institutionalise though the Police Bill just to remain in power. It is time for the entire society to rise against such perverse application of the concept of police reform" she stressed.

Mehbooba said the state police is part of the larger society and share with rest of population a value system that is special to the state. She said it was the same police that helped the healing touch policy of the PDP led coalition but the way the present government has misused this institution it looks in conflict with the society. "That is a dangerous situation which could be worsened by measures proposed to be introduced through the Police Bill"she added.

 Avalanche alert in Valley, Stranded traffic moves on NH

Traffic from Sgr to Jmu on Monday: IG Taffic

Srinagr, Feb 24 (VOS): Fresh avalanche warning has been issued in Valley after heavy snowfall in the hilly and mountainous areas. People and tourists have been advised to stay away from the snow hit areas as a precautionary measure.

"The state has been experiencing inclement weather for the past three days owing to western disturbance, which has started weakening now. Weather would show signs of improvement from 26th February evening," Sanum Lotus told VOS.
He advised the people in snow fall areas especially in mountains not to visit mountainous areas for few days, “With the betterment in temperature after snowfall, avalanche could occur”

Meanwhile, after remaining closed for two days, Srinagar-Jammu highway was open for traffic on Sunday. “Subject to the weather conditions, traffic will run from Srinagar to Jammu on Monday. Stranded traffic was allowed to move towards their destinations after clearance of road on Sunday”, Inspector General of Traffic Muneer Ahmad Khan told VOS. 
He said that traffic will ply from Srinagar to Jammu on Monday, subject to the weather conditions, adding, “Passengers will have to pass the Qazigund CP by 11am”. (VOS)

Taj appreciates Postal Services, addresses Postmasters conference

            JAMMU, FEBRUARY 24: Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services & Sports, Mr. Taj Mohi ud Din has appreciated the efforts of Department of Posts for reviving its postal services and making them in sync with the needs of present times.

            Addressing the Postmasters conference here this morning, the Minister said that with the coming of faster courier and mailing services-both manual and electronic-postal services had taken a back seat few years back. But with re inventing their services, he said, the Postal Department has risen back to its leadership role in the sector.

            Mr. Taj said he was happy to know that the Department has launched the Same-Day-Post services for the cities of Jammu and Srinagar and appealed people to take full benefits of the services offered by the Department which has been carrying out the services for more than 150 years now.

            In his welcome address, Chief Postmaster General, Mr. John Samuel said the Department during the last few years has taken steps which have revived the importance of postal services. He said the motto of his organization now is from good to great.

            He said the Department registered a growth of 24% in its deposits last year whileas it has been 35% during the current year so far. He said performance wise, J&K Circle has been adjudged as the best among all the postal circles of the country.

            On the occasion, the Minister also gave away awards to employees of Postal Department who had excelled in their assigned duties during the last year.

            Director, Postal Services, Mr. Amit Sharma, Postmasters of Districts of Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts were present in the meeting.

 Govt. committed to connect every area of State: Bhalla

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 24-Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Mr. Raman Bhalla has said that Government is committed to connect every nook and corner of the State by providing all weather road connectivity. 

This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the villagers after laying foundation stone of main road to Shamshan Ghat link road at Dharap village, here today.

Mr. Bhalla asked the Rural Development Department engineers to complete this road within stipulated time by using quality material. For improving the drinking water scenario in Dharap and Joogian Mohalla, the Minister said the Government has released Rs. 4 crore under Dharap Kothey Water Supply Scheme for digging of deep drill tube well and laying of water supply pipes in uncovered areas of the villages, adding that the projects are under progress and would be dedicated to the people by May this year. He said the deep drill tube well would provide 50000 gallon discharge of drinking water supply. 

Mr. Bhalla said after commissioning of tube wells, the drinking water scarcity in Dharap, Dharap Kothey, Jogian Mohalla and Gujjar basti localities would be solved to a large extent. He asked the PHE authorities to complete the ongoing works in left out areas of the villages at the earliest so that the inhabitants do not face drinking water scarcity during summer season.

Listing the measures taken by the Government in Dharap village, Mr. Bhalla said Government has spent Rs. 1.10 crore for construction of 9-kilometer long Jeevan Nagar-Maralian road.

 Sagar held extensive tour of Srinagar city

Inspects STP works, Food Stores

Discusses proposed Master Plan of Srinagar city

            SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 24:- Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar Sunday conducted extensive tour of Srinagar city to take stock of sewerage system in city areas besides availability of essential commodities.

            Mr. Sagar accompanied by Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr. G.N. Qasba and other concerned officers today inspected various ongoing sewerage works including Sewage Pump House, Brari Nambal. He went around the whole project area and took stock of the sewerage management. He inspected 16.8 MLD Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Brari Nambal coming up at a cost of Rs. 23 crore, benefitting various areas of Srinagar city including Saida Kadal, Naidyar, Jogi Lanker, Miskeen Bagh etc.

            Mr. Sagar also inspected rectification project of STP Brari Nambal costing Rs. 4 crore. He was informed that Khanyar, Nowhatta, Habba Kadal and Bhori Kadal areas are being benefited by the plant. He also inspected Cable Trench work at the site.

            The Minister also inspected work on sewerage line from Baba Dawood-i-Khakhi to STP Brari Nambal, costing Rs. 80 lakhs.

            Mr. Sagar also visited Fateh Kadal Sewerage Pump Station and directed the concerned Engineers to ensure proper treatment of the sewerage to eliminate bad smell from it.

            On the occasion, the Minister was informed that 28 moving dewatering pumps have been put into service in various areas of Srinagar city including Bemina area.

            While visiting Khanyar Constituency, the Minister inspected ongoing work of drain, costing Rs. 9.85 lakh under Constituency Development Fund. He directed the concerned Engineers to ensure proper coverage of the drain at Gousia Hospital.

            Mr. Sagar also inspected various food stores of CA&PD which include food store at Khanyar and Miskeen Bagh and took stock of availability of essential commodities. He also inspected under construction CA&PD store at Mughal Mohalla Rainawari and directed the concerned Engineers to make space for Reading Room on the second storey of the Food Store.

            Earlier, Mr. Sagar took stock of the revision of proposed draft of Master Plan of Srinagar city. The Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Renzu briefed the Minister about various dimensions of the Master Plan.

            The Minister stressed upon the concerned authorities to make Srinagar Master Plan whole good for next 50 years. He said it should be done in a very transparent manner and sincerity. He said all stakeholders should be consulted and feedback from all shades of life should be ascertained to make the Master Plan more comprehensive.

            The Vice Chairman, SDA said that the Master Plan is being discussed with people at large to make it people friendly.

            Among others, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr. G.N. Qasba and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.           

               Mir reviews CAD projects

                     Rs 368.59 cr 13 projects under execution in the Valley
Asks for endowing farmers better irrigation facilities

            SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 24:- Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir urged upon officers to endow farmers with all basic facilities and provide them their rights for the welfare of farmers and better economy of State.

            This was stated by the Minister while chairing the review meeting of Command Area Development (CAD) Kashmir here today. The meeting was convened to assess the physical and financial achievements of the department.

            On the occasion the Minister stressed upon officers to utilize modern techniques besides making best use of their talent and experience for better irrigation facilities which is back bone for agriculture sector.

            Mr. Mir said that to increase agriculture production Command Area Projects plays vital role and urged upon the officers to speed up the pace of work and expedite all projects in stipulated time so that farmers can avail maximum benefit from all such schemes.

            The Minister said that Command Area projects are greatly associated with the agriculture industry and needs improvement for its better functioning so that State can achieve better direction to achieve the goal of green economy.

            While appreciating the implementation of Command Area Projects the Minister said that concrete field channels and drains are being constructed which are yielding fruitful results for the proper irrigation and water resources are utilized without any wastage and on rational basis. He also said that by CAD projects we are able to make efficient use of water resources besides reduce its wastage.

            On the occasion, Director CAD, Kashmir apprised the Minister through a PowerPoint presentation about the functioning of the department and informed about various ongoing projects being executed under CAD.

            The Minister was informed that work is apace on 13 projects under CAD in the valley estimate costing Rs. 368.59 crore with the total coverage area of 117259 hectares. So far, an amount of Rs 78.38 crore has been expended on the execution of these projects, covering 37841 hectares till February this year.

            It was also given out that under RKVY scheme, an area of 1916 hectares of land with an expenditure of Rs. 363.68 lakh has been achieved upto February 20, 2013 for providing assured irrigation to agriculture crops through field channels and an area of 566 hectares of land with an expenditure of Rs. 14.55 lakhs has been achieved under construction of field drains besides 516 number of irrigation tube wells have been achieved under creation of water resources at an expenditure of Rs. 108.54 lakhs.

10,40,692 children administered Pulse Polio drops under second phase in Valley

   SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 24:- The second round of Pulse Polio Campaign was launched all over the Kashmir Valley today.As many as 10,40,692 children of the age of 0-5 years were administered polio drops at 5716 booths set up in the Valley. The Health Department has deployed 109 transit teams and 86 mobile teams in the Valley, besides, the Department have allotted about 13,01,820 oral polio vaccines for administration to the children in the Valley.The Health Department, Kashmir has deputed 22,794 workers and 1197 Supervisors for the successful implementation of polio campaign in the Valley. At Srinagar, the Pulse Polio campaign was launched early in the morning at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Rainawari (JLNM), Srinagar by administering polio drops to an infant by State Immunization Officer.The Deputy Directors of Health Services Department, Kashmir and Medical Superintendent, JLNM were also present on the occasion.

The Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir, Mr. Bashir Ahmad Bhat also administered polio drops to an infant at Srinagar.The Pulse Polio campaign was also organized at all districts of Valley where concerned Deputy Commissioners inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to the children. At Baramulla, 14,552 children of the age group of 0-5 years administered Pulse Polio drops for which 734 Pulse Polio Centres have been set up. For this purpose, 2936 works have been deployed on the duty to achieve the target, besides 52 Supervisors.At Kupwara 1,34,414 children were administered Pulse Polio Immunization drops in the district. For this purpose, 714 Polio booths were set up in the district and 2935 employees were deployed for administering the Pulse Polio Immunization drops, which include 1240 from Medical, 825 Ashas, 791 from ICDS and 79 NGOs for successful implementation of the programme besides 75 mobile teams and 167 Supervisors.At Pulwama 64,723 children were administered polio drops for which 400 centres were set up in the district.At Shopian 51,512 children were administered polio drops for which 266 centres were set up in the district.Chief Medical Officers of Shopian and Pulwama, Block Medical Officer, Shopian, NRHM Block Monitoring Officer and other paramedical staff were present on the occasion.Likewise, Polio drops were administered at Bandipora for which 292 centres were set up to administer polio drops to 58,870 children.As many as 44932 children in Ganderbal district were administered polio drops at 220 centres.At Anantnag 595 centres and at Kulgam 510 centres were set up respectively to administer 1,40,082 and 91,546 children.Pulse Polio campaign were also organized at Ladakh region. As many as 382 and 376 centres were set up in Kargil and Leh districts for administering polio drops to 16,445 and 12,280 children respectively.
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          NATIONAL

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PM visits blast sites, hospitals; appeals for calm

Hyderabad, Feb 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today visited Thursday's blast sites and hospitals where the injured are being treated to express "solidarity" with the people of the city and appealed for peace and calm.He lauded the people of the city for refusing to be provoked by the "nefarious" act.Singh visited the twin blast sites and Omni and

Yashoda Hospitals where he met some of the injured and their families, assuring them of all help.

Hyderabad blasts: Cops get 'clear clues', question 30 people

HYDERABAD: Investigators are believed to have obtained certain "clear clues" based on CCTV footage at the site of the twin blasts in Hyderabad and questioning of some jailed terror suspects here even as a letter purportedly written by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility. Sources said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while being briefed by state DGP V Dinesh Reddy here about the progress in the investigations so far was told certain "clear clues" were obtained based on footage of the CCTV cameras at the scene and also questioning of some terror suspects lodged in jails here. According to the sources, the video footage obtained from the site of blasts showed that three people were found moving suspiciously near bicycles strapped with explosives, just minutes before the explosions. Help of experts were being taken to enhance the footage for clarity. "We are working in close coordination with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and are hopeful of cracking the case soon," the DGP was said to have told the Prime Minister. 
As multi-probe teams including from NIA analysed the footage and sought details of cycles bought locally, BJP's Andhra Pradesh unit president G Kishan Reddy said he received a threat letter purportedly written by Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT in which it claimed responsibility for the Dilsukhnagar bomb blast on Thursday night. Police have questioned nearly 30 people in connection with the explosions but yet to make any arrest. 16 people were killed and over 100 injured when two bombs placed on bicycles went off within minutes of each other in which the handiwork of banned militant outfit Indian Mujahideen, which has links with LeT, is being increasingly suspected. However, he refused to give a copy of the letter saying he has handed it over to Abids police station. In the letter, the LeT purportedly stated that their next target is Begaumbazar, Reddy claimed. Begumbazar is another crowded wholesale market in the city. When contacted, Abids police said "we have received a letter from Kishan Reddy today and it is being verified." 
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          SPORTS

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 India 515/8, take 135-run lead against Australia in Chennai
Chennai, Feb 24 (VOS) India were 515 for eight at stumps on the third day in reply to Australia's 380 all out in the opening cricket Test at M A Chidambaram Stadium here today.Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (206 batting) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (16 batting) were at the crease at the end of play today.

  G A Mir inaugurates Intl Rafting C’ship

Rafting teams of Australia, Czech, Slovok, Nepal to test Chenab waters

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 24:-To promote adventure tourism in Jammu region and to catch the attention of adventure lovers, a 4-day long International Rafting Championship commenced from today in river Chenab for the first time.

 Minister for Tourism, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir inaugurated the event which was organized by the State Tourism Department.

The International Rafting Federation has provided technical supervision of the event and recognized J&K Rafting Cup to be awarded to the winner team, besides J&K Rafting Association is also providing technical knowhow during the event.

Director International Rafting Federation Mr. Joe Alice and rafting expert, Ms. Natali are the judges of the event.

Rafting teams from Australia, Nepal, Czech and Slovok republics, besides Rafting teams of Army, J&K Police, Kashmir Rafting team and Jammu rafting team are  participating in the event.  A 10-km river patch from Thathri to Prem Nagar Doda has been identified for the safe and adventurous rafting competition during the event.

Addressing a public gathering on the occasion, the Tourism Minister said that government is keen to restore the tourism glory of the state and exploit its potential in adventure tourism. He said adventure tourism holds great potential to generate jobs for the state's people, especially the youth adding that it should also receive focused attention along with conventional and pilgrim tourism in the Chenab Valley which has a good rafting potential.

The Minister said that it is the first ever international rafting event in river Chenab to explore new adventure tourism potential in Doda and attract international teams and tourists to this place.

The Minister said that about one hundred unemployed youth of Doda district would be trained in river rafting skills with the objective that they adopt this as profession and generate income for livelihood. He said the government would provide easy loans with subsidy to these youth for managing own rafts for promotion of river tourism in the belt.

Minister for R&B, Mr. Abdul Majid Wani in his address said that focused thrust is being also given to develop new spots besides infrastructure upgradation in Jammu region. He said way side facilities are being also created in Chenab Valley besides promoting leisure, pilgrim and heritage tourism.

Minister of State for Home and Tourism, Mr. Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the programmes and policies initiated by the government for all round development of the people of the state especially those who living in hilly and remote areas. He said Chenab Valley is rich in tourism and to explore it fully, the government has already setup a development authority in the area.

MLA, Inderwal, Mr. G. M. Sarori, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mr. Talat Parvez, Director Tourism, Jammu, Mr. R. S. Mehta, District Development Commissioner Doda, Assistant Director Tourism, Mr. Tariq Ahmed, Officers of Tourism Department, District Officers besides tour and travel operators of Mumbai, Delhi, representatives of national and international media and a large number of locals attended the event.

Ashwin fined for wearing batting pad with more logos

Chennai, Feb 24 (VOS) Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was today fined 10 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct relating to clothing and equipment while batting on the third day of the opening cricket Test against Australia here.

 South Africa beat Pakistan in third Test to complete clean sweep

 Graeme Smith has recorded his 50th Test win as a captain defeating Pakistan in the third and final Test by an innings and 18 runs. Rahat Ali was then last man to be dismissed after being out lbw off Peterson. He scored 22 (27b, 4X5). 

Rahat Ali is enjoying in the middle and has so far hit four boundaries in his score of 18 runs. One of them came as a result of a dropped catch by AB de Villiers– a tough one though. With this victory, Smith will become the captain with most victories in Test history – his 50th. 

 

Pakistan are trailing by 45 runs with just one wicket in hand. Can they avoid an innings defeat? Sarfraz Ahmed and Ehsan Adil were the two wickets to fall. Ahmed was caught at third man by Elgar off Steyn while Adil fell to Abbott after being caught by Kleinveldt. Dale Steyn has four wickets. Abbott, Kleinveldt and Peterson have two wickets each while Philander is yet to open his account. 

South Africa are just three wickets away from winning this third and final Test. Saeed Ajmal is the latest batsman to depart after being given lbw off Dale Steyn. He reviewed it but the decision was upheld. He scored 31 (57b, 4X4, 6X1). Pakistan still trailing by 68 runs with three wickets in hand.

And Steyn is all charged up as he dismisses Younis Khan, yet once again! It pitched on middle and off, Younis Khan had to play it, he did and edged that towards slips where Smith’s huge hands made no mistake. So Younis Khan vs Steyn has been a fascinating contest to watch throughout this series, and the World No. 1 bowler has the last laugh! Imran Farhat is the new batsman.

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