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JK Minister reviews Haj arrangements-2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:52:45 -0500

Srinagar, May 23 (Scoop News) –Minister for Haj, Auqaf, Floriculture and Public Enterprises Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today chaired a meeting convened to review the arrangements being put in place for haj pilgrimage-2013 for the convenience of Haj aspirants at Haj House Srinagar.

Addressing the Meeting, the Minister said that State Haj Committee would be put in place all efforts for providing best possible facilities to the Haj Pilgrims, adding that every care should be taken for their accommodation and stay at Haj House.

Peerzada directed the executing agency for accelerating the pace of repair and construction work ensuring it completion well before the commencement of Haj Pilgrimage.

The Minister directed for completion of repair work of roof top of reception lounge, plug the holes of roof from where birds entered into the complex cause inconvenience to pilgrims, besides making the elevator of residential block fully functional within 10 days for the convenience of Haj Pilgrims.

Directing the concerned for lifting of wastage and dumped material from the premises, Peerzada also asked to complete the earth work on land near residential block. He also directed for dismantling of temporary structure erected near the main entrance of the complex.

The issues regarding repair of glazed windows in reception lounge, conversion of a portion of ramp into stairs in Common Facility Block, Repair of flush points and fixing of sanitary items in different blocks, Repair and replacement of door locks, fixing of window glass panes, expansion of approach door to main office, besides repair and painting of administrative block were also discussed threadbare in the meeting.

Among others, Commissioner Secretary, Revenue Vinod Koul, Chief Executive officer, J&K Haj Committee Fayaz, besides Deputy Manager and senior engineers of JKPCC attended the meeting.

JK CM stresses on quality education

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:32:11 -0500

Jammu/Srinagar, May 23 (Scoop News) –Chairing the 2nd meeting of the Advisory Council for Higher Education here on Thursday, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah laid thrust on growth and accessibility of quality higher education in the State to keep pace with global advancement of modern education.

The Chief Minister constituted a high level committee of administrative secretaries of Higher Education, School Education, Technical Education, Finance Departments headed by the Principal Secretary Planning and Development to examine the recommendations made by various sub-groups of Advisory Council. It will also review draft Vision Document 2020 prepared by the Higher Education Department.

“The Administrative Secretaries Committee should time bound finalization of the recommendations so that these are deliberated upon in the next Advisory Committee meeting to concretize the final proposal for implementation”, he directed.

The Chief Minister also launched e-library portal prepared for free access of the students to download relevant education material for their benefit. As many as 800 books on various subjects and faculties of education and over 1000 educational journals have been uploaded in the portal.

Underlining the need for regular updating of the portal with quality educational material, the Chief Minister underscored the importance of ensuring security of the web portal for uploading various material. He said there should be proper and foolproof checking for this purpose.

The Chief Minister said that higher education and school education departments should sit together to formulate students’ charter to ensure various services to them across the State. He said school going children and the students in higher educational institutions should get equally benefits by this charter.

Speaking in the meeting Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone, gave overlook of the Vision Document 2020 and presented resume of the new initiatives higher education department has put in place for consolidation and expansion of quality education in the State.

Principal Secretary Higher Education, K. B. Agarwal told the meeting that higher education department will be made paperless within the next six months by shifting all its functional on e-governance mode. He also explained various aspects of the Vision Document 2020 and e-library web portal.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr. Manohar Lal, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, various Administrative Secretaries, Vice Chancellors of various universities functioning in the State, various senior officers and Principals of different Degree Colleges.

The two PowerPoint presentations were made in the meeting by Advisor Higher Education, Prof. Nisar Ali and Special Secretary Higher Education, Himmant Kumar.

More at scoopnews.in/det.aspx

Budgam Kashmir incident is a blot on our society:BJP

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:32 -0500

Anantnag/Srinagar,May 22 (Scoop News) – BJP Mahila Morcha State President Priya Sethi on Wednesday strongly Criticized the act of sexual harassment of four minor girls who were reading in an institute claiming religious preaching headed by Gulzar Ahmed Bhat of Khan Sahib, Budgam.

Addressing the Mahila Morcha activists at Anantnag Priya Sethi strongly criticized the act of sexual harassment by the religious preacher and said that "the incident of sexual harassment of four minor girls in Budgam is indeed very painful and is against our culture and tradition.

She said it is something which cannot be tolerated at any cast and demanded through investigation of this incident and sought stern action against all the culprits to check this menace in future. She said no civilised society can tolerate such an inhuman act and demanded immediate arrest of all other culprits involved and associated with that institution.

Priya Sethi said the Budgam incident has proved that Law and order mechanism in J&K has completely failed to provide security to women as is evident from this shocking incident and said that "We always took pride in the fact that women enjoyed a better status in J&K but recent incidents have been a blot on our society.She appealed to the people from all sections of society to protest against this shameful incident so that such act should not happen in the future.

DGP introduces new telecom scheme

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:36:34 -0500

Srinagar, May 22 (Scoop News) – To enhance police-public interface, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has introduced new telephony scheme Close User Group (CUG), covering the police organization from field level to the police headquarters. The scheme will facilitate the people to have quick police accessibility in the hour of need.

This was disclosed by Director General of Police (DGP), Ashok Prasad while commissioning the new scheme at Police Headquarters this afternoon. He said that there would be a fixed permanent telephone number of each police post, police station and senior officer so that general public can contact in emergency any of the police stations and police posts. Their mobile numbers shall not change even with the transfer of officers as it is a permanent system.

“The scheme envisages allotment of dedicated mobile phone numbers to each police post, police station, police wing and senior officers which shall remain permanently attached with the designated officer even if the incumbents keep changing on transfers”, the DGP added.

Prasad said general public had complaints that telephones of police stations and police posts were invariable disconnected for non-payment of bills causing inconvenience for them, which shall not happen now after launch of new telecom scheme (CUG) as incoming facility is in built in the system. People can now dial the number to seek police assistance at a short notice, said Prasad.

Further deliberating on the aims of scheme, Prasad said that the system would bring different units and officers closer to each other and help to respond quickly to any situation. He said that the scheme would prove more economical and the users would have an opportunity to avail unlimited talk time at a fixed rent plan.

Giving more details, the DGP disclosed that in the first instance 781 users could avail opportunity which include 240 senior officers of the Organization. He said that further police posts and senior officers including border posts and officers working in far-flung areas would be brought under the cover of the new scheme.

Appreciating the efforts of Police Headquarters and Telecommunication Wing, the DGP said that it was due to relentless efforts and their dedication that the scheme has been got approved and made functional. He stressed on the officers to work with dedication to keep the scheme functional round the clock, making it fruitful for the public as well as whole Organization.

Prasad while commissioning the new scheme talked to some far-flung police posts and enquired about the quality of service. He asked the officers to furnish the feedback to the PHQ about the scheme so that required modifications are made from time to time making the scheme more effective. He said that in addition to other components, Jammu and Kashmir Police has been focusing to strengthen its telecommunication network in the state which could help the Organization to serve the people of the state in a better way.

Among others, the function was attended by Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters), SP Vaid, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters), Deepak Kumar, Director Police Telecom, AS Bali, DIG (Administration), RP Resutora, AIG (Provision), A A Kakroo, Dy. SP Telecom, Asgar Ali Khan and other police officers.

More at www.scoopnews.in/det.aspx

Kashmir Tourism organizes Cleanliness Drive in Pahalgam

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:30:29 -0500

Srinagar, May 22 (Scoop News) -As a part of Kashmir Tourism Festival 2013, Department of Tourism through Tourist Office Pahalgam organized “Cleanliness Drive” in Pahalgam.

The participants included the students from Govt. Higher Secondary School Pahalgam, Shah-i-Hamdan College of Education Siligam, representative of Ponywallas, Hotel/ Guest House Owners Association Pahalgam, Hotel/ Restaurant association of Pahalgam, and other Tourism stake holders were flagged off from Tourist Reception Centre Pahalgam by Assistant Director Tourism, Tariq Hussain Naik in presence of Tehsildar Pahalgam Mohd Yusuf Bhat.

“The aim of the Drive is to inculcate the sense of preservation and conservation of ecology among the general public as well as the tourists,” said ADT Naik and added “The Cleanliness Drive is aimed to bring awareness among the local inhabitants/tourism Stake holders and tourists so that the tourist resorts of Kashmir can be preserved.”

The ongoing festival in Pahalgam started on 20th on this month in which various competitions including river rafting, trekking expedition, cultural programmes etc have already been organized.

More at www.scoopnews.in/det.aspx

PDP Chief pays rich tributes to Mirwaiz Farooq & Gani Lone

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:27:21 -0500

Srinagar, May 20 (Scoop News) –Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has paid rich tributes to the martyred leaders Mirwaiz Moulana Mohammad Farooq And Khwaja Abdul Gani Lone. In a statement issued here today PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed paid his rich tributes to the two leaders. He said both leaders during their struggle for the dignity and honour of the people upheld values which will remain as an asset with us.

Recalling his personal relations with them Mufti said that both were ardent lovers of people of the state and had dedicated them selves for ultimate public good. It is unfortunate that they fell to the bullets of the assassins at a time when their presence on the political scene was needed the most.

Mufti said that their unfinished task on reconciliation and dialogue on Kashmir remains sacred trust with PDP and we will continue to struggle for the fulfillment of that unfinished task. He said every time I remember the two leaders I am reminded of the pain their families, large number of supporters and the people at large suffered as a result of mindless violence.

The best tribute to both will be to restore to the state the people’s power in which lies their authority and respect. He prayed to eternal peace of the two noble souls.

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J&K Academy showcases rich folk forms at Kashmir

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:35:14 -0500

Srinagar, May 19 (Scoop News) –On the second day of the 3-day Kashmiri folk presentation organized by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages at the Kashmir Haat here today, prominent folk artists performed various folk forms before a large appreciative audience.

The 3-day event is being held in collaboration with North Zone Cultural centre as part of the ongoing Kashmir Tourism Festival.

Today’s performances were by Abdur Rashid & party who delighted the viewers with traditional folk music, chhakri, Shakur Shah Dhamali Centre, Gopalpora Budgam who performed devotional folk dance, Dhamali, and Alamdar Bhagat Theatre, Anantnag enacting famous folk theatre Bhand Paether.

On Saturday, the artists and groups who performed at the Kashmir Haat include Habib Ullah Nishati & party, Dhamali Dance Centre, Chadoora and National Bhand theatre, Wathoora.

Tomorrow will be the concluding programme of the series by the Academy.

Pertinently, the Academy is currently showcasing the rich Kashmiri folk heritage on a big scale across the valley through its 2-month long Kashmir Folk Festival. Launched on May 4 from Pahalgam, folk artists have been performing at tourists places like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Verinag, Kokernag, Achhabal, Zabarwan Park and Chinar Bagh.

The festival has evoked lot of interest among tourists and local people alike and is seen as a serious effort by the Academy to promote local folk forms.

DUJ remembers Journalist O.P. Sabharwal

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:51:33 -0500

New Delhi, May 18 (Scoop News) –The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Delhi Media Centre for Research & Publications Trust (DMCT) paid rich tributes to veteran journalist O.P Sabharwal, who died on May 15.

The Delhi Union of Journalists and the Delhi Media Centre for Research & Publications at a joint meeting held today adopted the resolution on the death of O.P. Sabharwal.

The speakers recalled their association with O. P. Sabharwal, former editor of India Press Agency (IPA), and lauded his contribution towards Journalism, society irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

They said O. P. Sabharwal will be remembered by his staff, colleagues and friends as a man with the sunny smile and helping hand. His background as a communist during colonial times gave him a rich cultural backdrop that served him well in his career as a journalist. He could write about arts and science with equal felicity, although reporting about politics gradually pushed his other writings onto the back burner.

He was one of those few journalists interested in science reporting. He took keen interest in India’s nuclear programme of which he had considerable technical knowledge. His communist internationalism was always balanced with his acute nationalism.

O.P., as he was known to his friends and colleagues, was a man with many interests. His tough job as the head of an agency that struggled against financial difficulties gave him little time to indulge his love of classical music and dance. In office he would hum songs of K.L. Saigal, his friend and favourite singer. He could come up with couplets from Ghalib, Meer and Majaz in the middle of writing pieces on nuclear tests and electoral battles. His association with the progressive movement helped him establish contact with many famous poets and actors some of whom became his friends like Sahir Ludhianvi, Kaifi Azmi and Achala Sachdev.

He was a stout believer in technology and was fascinated by the leaps in high technology like irradiation of food and space ventures.

O.P was extremely fond and proud of his daughter Alka, and took a rare holiday from work to be with her in the US when she had her child. He talked glowingly of his son too.

He was a member of the DUJ till the end and never let his belief in trade unionism sag under the weight of the changing economic scenario. He had his reservations about the contract work system in the media.

The DUJ & DMCT celebrate his contribution to journalism and salute his dedication to the profession to which he gave sixty years of his life.

Congress equally responsible for depriving people of J&K:Mufti

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:20:33 -0500

Jammu, May 18 (Scoop News) –Lambasting the present dispensation headed by National Conference for brazenly trampled democratic institutions in the state just to remain in power, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that Congress party was equally responsible for depriving people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate democratic rights.

“It is a historical fact that the National Conference is notorious for undermining sanctity democratic institutions in the State but it is very unfortunate that Congress, which is part of the present government, is also playing dubious role as far strengthening of Panchayati Raj institutions or holding civic bodies elections in the State”, Mufti said while addressing an impressive public meeting in Mishriwalla area of Raipur-Domana assembly segment.

“National Conference is a stumbling block in decentralizing power at grass root level but role of Congress party is also not worth praising as far strengthening local self government in J&K is concerned”, he said.

Referring towards repeatedly statements being given by the Congress leaders on 73rdand 74th amendments in public, Mufti said that failure of the government to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions in the State was a clear indication that Congress leaders were giving statements only for public consumption but internally they were also not serious in strengthening democracy at grass root level. “Had Congress leaders been serious in holding civic bodies elections or strengthen Panchayats, the government would have taken some concrete steps in this regard”, he observed and regretted that except giving statements in public Congress leaders have done nothing serious to convince their coalition partner to honour mandate of the people, who had turned out in large number to cast votes in Panchayat elections. “More than two years have been passed after completion of the Panchayat elections but till date government has failed to hold Block Development Councils (BDCs) elections”, he regretted, adding, “It is nothing but a mockery of the democracy and blatant dishonour of the mandate of the people by those who are at the helm of the affairs”.

“Not only the elected Panchayats have been denied powers, authority and funds to fulfill their obligations but even nothing has been done to have democratically elected urban local bodies in the state. Worse, the elections to local bodies have been delayed for over three years now on one pretext or the other”, he pointed out and mentioned that Congress could not escape from the responsibility of delaying urban local bodies elections because party representative was holding the portfolio of Urban and Housing Development since formation of this government in the year 2009.

Dubbing present dispensation as synonymous of corruption and miss-governance, PDP patron said corruption, nepotism and arbitrariness have been the hallmark of this coalition regime.

Mufti said that depriving citizens of their democratic rights and eroding sanctity of democratic institutions were the only noticeable achievements of the four and half year tenure of this regime.

PDP patron said that elections of urban local bodies including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations were scheduled to be held in the month of February 2010 but the government has been postponing these elections with one or other excuse.

“Even in the Governor’s Address during the last budget session of the Assembly in the year 2012, the government has promised to conduct local bodies elections in the month of April 2012”, he recalled, adding, “the way government is hesitating to conduct these elections substantiate our apprehensions that this regime is not interested in conducting local bodies elections”.

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Trans LoC trade & travel will be taken to the next level: Mehbooba

Sat, 18 May 2013 06:49:45 -0500

Srinagar, May 18 (Scoop News) –Expressing the determination of her party to build on the initiatives taken previously by PDP, its president Mehbooba Mufti Mehbooba said the Trans LoC trade and travel will be taken to the next level so that a true and real Free Economic Zone (FEZ) is established. Addressing a workers convention of Anantnag Constituency at Dak Banglow Khanabal today she said this would help generate thousands of jobs in industrial , tourism and trading sectors and J&K could become the hub of a new economic activity which would also lead to resolution of political problems facing the state.

She said it was unfortunate that the steps taken in 2005 for introducing the bus service and trade across LoC had not been followed up properly with the result that perishable items like apples worth crores are reportedly rotting at Salamabad Uri. Had the early momentum been maintained in the process, by now people on either side of LoC should have been able to travel in their personal cars and trading would have become a major source of economic regeneration.

Referring to the development issues Mehbooba said PDP would carry forward its agenda of equitable and balanced growth irrespective of political affiliation of any region, area or constituency.