JKPSUF demands de-politicisation of BOSE

New Delhi, Jan 06: De-fence Minister of Japan, Itsunori Onodera, is on a visit to India from 5-8 January 2014 as a follow up to the India-Japan De-fence Ministerial Meeting held in November 2011. The two Ministers held a Defence Ministerial meet-ing on Monday. At the meeting, the two Ministers extensively and frankly exchanged ideas regarding regional and global securi-ty challenges, as well as bi-lateral defence cooperation and exchanges between India and Japan. They shared views on issues re-lating to the peace, stabil-ity and prosperity of the region. Minister Onodera briefed on Japan`s Nation-al Security Strategy and the National Defence Pro-gram Guidelines, which were adopted in December 2013. The Defence Minister of India A K Antony appre-ciated the detailed brief-

ing. The two Ministers appreci-ated the progress on India-Japan bilateral defence co-operation and exchanges that had been achieved in a variety of fields and at various levels, including the holding of the third Defence Policy Dialogue which was decided during the 2011 Defence Ministe-rial meeting, the second "2 plus 2" dialogue and the second bilateral training between the Japan Mari-time Self-Defence Force and the Indian Navy which was held from 19-22 Decem-ber, 2013. The two Ministers also shared views on the ne-cessity to conduct high- level and working-level regular consultations and exchanges, deepening Ser-vices exchanges and edu-cation/academic research exchanges and making other efforts, in order to

See India on Pg. 11

New Delhi, Jan 6: The Supreme Court Monday di-rected the Centre to appoint a national regulator to over-see the implementation of forest policy, rejecting its contention that there was no need for such a body.A three-judge forest bench headed by Justice A K Pat-naik also ordered the Cen-tre to file an affidavit on compliance of its order by March 31, 2014.The bench made it clear that the clearances under the Forest Act would be granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) but the regulator will see the implementation of the Forest Policy of 1998.Further, it said that the Environment Impact As-sessment (EIA) notification of 2006 would now be dealt directly by the National

See SC on Pg. 11

State Cabinet takes 1147 decisions in 137 meetings

Jammu, Jan 6: The State Cabinet led by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah made as many as 1147 im-portant decisions aimed at public welfare, good-governance and equitable development of all the re-gions and sub-regions of the State in its 137 meet-ings held during the last five years.The major decisions taken by the State Cabi-net to empower people, bring transparency and upgrade the delivery of public services include the approval to holding of Panchayat Elections, launch of prestigious Sher-i-Kashmir Em-ployment and Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY), appointment of the State Chief Infor-mation Commissioner

and State Information Commissioners, approv-al to 6th Pay Recommen-dations in favour of State Government employees, exploitation of Geo-Ther-mal Energy in Ladakh, construction of Two-room Housing Complex for Kashmiri Pandits at Jagti, scheme for Empow-erment of Women, J&K Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill 2010, J&K Heritage Conservation Bill 2010, Amendments to J&K Tourist Trade Act 1978.The State Cabinet also ap-proved creation of posts in newly created Dis-tricts, construction of 18 Polytechnic Institutions, establishment of Poly-technics in uncovered Districts. It approved establishment of new

Polytechnic Institute in the Campus of Baba Gh-ulam Shah Badshah Uni-versity, Rajouri. It also approved establishment of ITIs at Khour-Batpora and Noorabad-Kulgam.It approved development of Retli Power Project and enhancement of its generation capacity from 690 MWs to 850 MWs, 450 MW Baglihar Hydro Electric Project-II, un-bundling of HT/LT sys-tem in Power Develop-ment Department, Policy for development of solar power, creation of two Sub-Transmission Divi-sions in Leh and Kargil alongwith five Transmis-sion Sub-Divisions and 149 posts, construction of 48 MW of Lower Kal-nai Hydro Electro Proj-ect and construction of

Parkachik-Panikhar HEP on River Suru and Kulan HEP on River Sindh. It also approved J&K Para-Medical Council Bill 2013 and implementation of 37.5 MW Parnai HEP.It also approved Jammu and Kashmir State For-est Policy, J&K Energy Conservation Bill 2011, J&K Prohibition of Rag-ging Bill 2011. It approved preparation of compre-hensive Mobility Plan for the Capital Cities of Jammu and Srinagar. The State Cabinet ap-proved establishment of J&K Medical Supplies Corporation, construc-tion of balance portion of Ravi Canal and setting up of National Institute of Fashion Technology at Jammu.

See Decisions on Pg. 11

Srinagar, Jan 6: Com-ing down heavily on the latest statement of Pro-fessor Abdul Gani Bhat, senior Hurriyat (M) lead-er wherein he termed UN resolutions on Kash-mir ‘dead’, the separatist leadership besides intel-lectuals Monday termed the remarks ‘absurd and feigned’.Claiming that the Kash-mir’s leadership sans clarity over the solution of Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani stated that if the UN resolutions are ‘irrelevant’, then the existence of UN as an institution is also under cloud. “It took 100 years for Taiwan that the UN resolutions were imple-mented there. Our case is just 65 year old, how come we claim that the resolutions are dead.”Hurriyat (G) maintained

the settlement of Kash-mir lies in resolutions passed by the United Na-tions and the amalgam has a full and firm faith in those resolutions. “The fact is that there is no clarity in the leader-ship of Kashmir. Once Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah termed Kash-mir as India’s integral part and after then called for a plebiscite. Through these double standards, the world has been left confused about the politi-cal aspirations of Kash-miris,” Ayaz Akbar, Huriyat (G) chief spokes-man told KNS. Echoing the similar views about United Nations resolutions, D u k h t a r a n - e - M i l a t Chairperson Asia An-drabi stated the elements terming UN resolutions ‘irrelevant’ are them-selves ‘a deadwood’ in

the pro-freedom camp and that the need of the hour is that they must be expelled so that the chaos comes to an end.The DeM chairperson re-marked that the UN reso-lutions provide a basis of the Kashmir resolution and solution of this dis-pute lies in implementa-tion of the resolutions passed by the United Na-tions Security Council. Asiya further told KNS, “How this could be justified that the UN resolutions have turned obsolete and cannot be implemented on ground. In actual those who claim that we beat the dead horse must accept that they have become the deadwood for this na-tion.”The DeM chairperson observed further that the Mirwaiz Umar must

See Difference on Pg. 11

New Delhi, Jan 6: The Del-hi High Court on Monday upheld the constitutional validity of laws empower-ing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) to conduct revenue audits of private telecom firms.The court said, as per the terms of license agree-ments, the private telecom companies had undertaken the accounting responsibil-ity on behalf of Centre also and their accounts, in rela-tion to revenue receipts, can be termed as the accounts of the Central Government also and hence, they would be the subject matter of CAG's audit."We conclude by holding that neither Rule 5 of the Telecom Regulatory Au-thority of India, Service Providers (Maintenance of Books of Accounts and other Documents) Rules is ultra -vires Section 16 of the Comptroller and Audi-tor General (Duties, Powers

and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971 nor is Section 16 ultra-vires Article 149 (pow-er of CAG) of the Constitu-tion of India," a bench of justices Pradeep Nandrajog and V Kameswar Rao said. "We have already held ...un-der the terms of the license

agreement the licensee has undertaken the accounting responsibility for the Cen-tral Government as well as itself. "Thus, the accounts of the licensees, in relation to the revenue receipts can be said to be the accounts of the Central Government and thus subject to a rev-enue audit as per Section

16 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act," it said.Dismissing the pleas of As-sociation of Unified Tele-com Service Providers and Cellular Operators Associa-tion of India (COAI), which

represent private telecom firms, the bench, however, reminded the CAG to con-fine its auditing to "receipts" of telecom firms only.“A small caveat by way of reminder to CAG in rela-tion to the accounts of the Telecom Service Providers, the audit has to be only an audit pertaining to the re-ceipts and no more.” The

CAG would not confuse himself with his wide all embracing power under Section 14(2) of the Comp-troller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Condi-tions of Service) Act which includes inquiry.The bench, in its 33-page judgement, said the syn-ergy between the regula-tory bodies and the telecom companies "would be not only for the benefit of the industry, the economy of the country, the society at large but would go a long way in establishing public confidence in good corpo-rate governance." It said, "Institutions typi-cally subject to regulations - large corporations - have ample resources to devise mode of circumvention. The result is that, in critical areas of regulation, a battle of wits is constantly fought between the regulators and the regulated, intent on evading compliance all

See Delhi HC on Pg. 11

New Delhi, Jan 06: The statement of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Supreme Court Advocte, Prashant Bhushan has spread a wave of anger across the country. In his statement Bushan had stated that referendum should be held in Kashmir to know if the people wanted the withdrawal of army. This statement like his earlier statement after which a youth entered his office and bet him in his chambers, has once again proved inexperience and po-litical immaturity of AAP leader. The BJP and Congress besides other parties have come down heavily on AAP and criticized it for being irresponsible and insensitive towards the national security and integ-rity. The pressure has compelled Bhushan to clarify that his views had been twisted and his statement should not be construed as a statement supporting pelbesiting in Jammu and Kashmir"The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) is of the view that Kashmir is an integral part of In-dia. Needless to say I share this view," he said in a statement here. "Any reference to referendum shouldn't be misconstrued to mean plebiscite on Kash-mir's relationship with India," he added. As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mounted a scathe attack on Bhushan and

the Congress and CPM too made critical comments, Kejriwal said the AAP did not agree with the referendum call. The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal however described Bushan’s statement as his personel view point and said that AAP believes that Jammu and Kashmir is an in-tegral part of India. The Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi

Azad has dismissed the Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Prasant Bhushan’s sugges-tion that there should be a referendum on the Army’s presents in Kashmir. Talking to newspersons in Kolkata he sug-gested that, the AAP should go slow and not comment on a matter it is not well versed with. Azad said that, he has im-mense respect for AAP but when someone gets success all of a sudden then he thinks himself as an Alexander, who will conquer the whole world. The Union Health minis-

ter advised the AAP to go very slow and re-frain from commenting on Kashmir with-out knowing about it as it creates more confusion than solutions.Harsh Vardhan, who is the leader of the BJP in the Delhi Assembly, discribed Bhushan's views as "anti-national". "How can anyone have the guts to say all this on Kashmir?" A senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley criticiz-ing Bhushan said that it was the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru who messed up Kashmir issue in UNO. "The suggestion that the issue of army presence in Kashmir be decided by a refer-endum of the people in the valley must be opposed," he said. "Issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir were substantially decided by Nehru. The effects of his mismanagement of Jammu and Kashmir continue to leave their im-pact even today," he said in his blog. Without naming Bhushan, Jaitley said: "The same leader had two years ago sug-gested a plebiscite in Jammu and Kash-mir where people must be free to decide whether they wish to stay with India or otherwise. "The issues of national security cannot be

See Omar on Pg. 11

Srinagar, Jan 6: Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools United Front (JKPSUF) has called upon the govern-ment to give credence to transparency and merit, while appoint-ing the new Chairman and Secretary of Board of School Education (BOSE).The front said that there are disturbing re-ports about the murky lobbying going on in various quarters to get the coveted posts.“For some people the posts are too lucra-tive and profitable and they want to get it at any chance,” said G N Var, general secretary JKPSUF. “At stake are huge funds, authority and other incentives, which is too mouth wa-tering for them.”The front said that the condition of BOSE has been going from bad to

worse during the last few years. “There have been numerous scan-dals coming to fore and corruption is rampant everywhere,” said Var. "The credibility of this once prestigious insti-tute is at its nadir."The front said that the top posts of BOSE have been politicized. “It is an open secret that the top post in BOSE is de-cided on the amount of political clout a person has,” said Var. “It is our request to kindly de-politicise at-least education and allow transparency and ac-countability in its working.” The Front also called upon the government take some stringent steps in re-viving the institute."The need of hour is to make a free and fair re-cruitment in BOSE top posts," said Var.

See JKPSUF on Pg. 11

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

TUESDAY January 07 | 2014 | 05 Rabi-Al-Awwal 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 07 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 PAISA)Pen For JusticeLargely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K

Omar says referendum not needed

http://www.zabarwantimes.com

WEATHER

TEMPERATUREMAXIMUM MINIMUMSUNSET ON(TUESDAY)SUNRISE ON (WED)

05:38 pm07:38 am

-2.3 0C4.5 0C

FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS:

FORECAST OF SRINAGAR:

Weather Will be Mainly dry weather over the State.

Mainly clear sky. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 6°C & -4°C respectively.

Delhi HC upholds laws empowering CAG to conduct audit of pvt telcos

Difference again surface in separatists’ leadership

SC for overseeing

forest policy implementation

Greets people on Gurupurab

Lays foundation of sewerage Scheme of

Bagh-e-Roopsingh

See More On Page 10 See More On Page 07

See More On Page 10See More On Page 06

Portuguese football

Eusebio dies

Excessive intake of tea

injurious to bones

Inside story

On Edit Page

Media and its responsibilities

In every society the media plays a vital role not only in disseminat-ing the information but also in building a healthy, positive and responsible society besides

SDA to promote flat-type housing in

SrinagarSrinagar Development Authority (SDA) Monday made allotment of eight leftover residential flats in Gulposh Apartments Bemina as a part of its initia-tive to promote flatted housing in Srinagar city.

See More On Pg 10

See More On Pg 9

India and Japan to strengthen defence

cooperationBhushan clarifies Kashmir an integral part of India

Separatists ridicule Prof. Bhat’s remarks on UN

Traffic to ply from Jammu to SrinagarSrinagar, Jan 6: As intimated by Traffic Control Unit, Sri-nagar, subject to fair weather condition and good condition of road, the vehicle viz private LMVs, Commercial LMVs. LCVs Medium passenger as well as commercial vehicles including Buses (Except double Decker Sleeper Coaches) heavy commercial vehicles except trailers and multi-axis vehicles would be allowed to travel from Jammu side towards Kash-mir in a regulated manner on 07.01.2014.To get update on status, the traf-fic control rooms be contact on following contact numbers TCU Ramban 9419993745, TCU Jam-mu-01912459048, 9419147732 and TCU Srinagar-01942450022 and 01942485396.

SMC launches helpline on food safetySrinagar, Jan 6: The Sri-nagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Food Wing has cre-ated a helpline number 0194-2488469 and fax email: healthof-ficersmc@gmail.com for the citizens of the city to address queries regarding food and food items sold in the city.According to a statement issued to KNS, all kinds of queries and complaints shall be addressed by a team of experts in Food Safety and Standards. “In case any manufacturer wants in-formation about the rules and regulations of Food safety and allied information like distribu-tion, storage and other such in-formation can also contact the above address and email,” the SMC statement has said.Dr Shafqat Khan, the health of-ficer at SMC has said the corpo-ration is ready to do hand hold-ing of entrepreneurs to set

See SMC on Pg. 11

JAMMU, JANUARY 6:

Reiterating Government’s commit-ment about promotion of Industries in J&K, the Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather, today assured Confederation of Indian Indus-

tries (CII) full support in its endeavours to modernize and upgrade Industries in the state to make them market oriented and competitive in tone with the day to day requirements. He said industries have to grow in consonance with the newer technologies and innovations to ensure

its sustenance in the open market com-petition adding that government would remove every hiccup, coming in the way of Industries & Commerce Sector in its march towards modernization.

Interacting with a delegation of CII in Civil Secretariat Jammu today,

Mr. Rather said incentives and packages rolled out under central and state indus-trial policies for the Industries would be implemented in letter and spirit and there shall in no way be any let up in Government’s support and encourage-ment to the Trade and Industry. He said

industrial promotion was necessary for employment generation and production boon to ensure socio- economic emanci-pation of the state.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Anil Mahajan, Chairman, CII J&K State Council, Mr. Sanjay Puri, past Chairman, CII J&K State council & Managing Direc-tor, PBI (India) ltd., Mr. S.K. Malhotra, prominent Chartered Accountant, Mr. Vivek Bhardwaj, Head CII J&K State office & Mr. Gagandeep Singh, Executive Officer CII J&K. The main issues raised by the CII included simplification of the VAT refund process through SICOP and procurement of spare parts and lab equipment which are required to be imported by the Indus-trialists and entrepreneurs for modern-ization and upgradation of industries in the state.

Mr. Rather informed the delega-tion that officers and the field agencies of Excise & Commercial Taxes Department have been time and again impressed upon to deal politely with the traders who represent respected segment of the society.

ANANTNAG, JANUARY 06: The District Employment and counselling centre An-antnag today organised Employment fair at Town Hall Anantnag which was attended by large number of unemployed educated youth, Panchs and Sarpanchs and general masses.The District Development Com-missioner Anantnag who in-augurated the Employment Fair and also inspected the stalls established by line de-partments. Speaking on the occasion the District Development Commissioner Anantnag said that aim of organizing such employ-ment fairs is to aware the educated and unemployed youth about the various wel-fare and employment ori-ented schemes launched by the Government adding that

unemployed educated youth shall come forward and start their own income generating units as to provide Govern-ment jobs to every educated person is not possible. He stressed the youth to take advantage of the Govern-ment schemes so that they can provide employment to others also.While giving the detail of achievements, Dep-uty Director Employment stated that presently 20,000 unemployed educated youth are registered with District Employment and Counsel-ing Centre, Anantnag and 4715 unemployed educated youth from metric to Post Graduate being are provided voluntary service allowance under SKWEPY scheme. The department has disbursed Rs. 3.17 crore as VSA upto ending May 2014.

Rather assures full support for promotion, modernization of Industries

Employment Fair inaugurated at Town

Hall Ang

TUESDAY, JANUARY | 07 | 2013Daily ZABARWAN TIMES NEWS

CII Delegation calls on Finance Minister

Frantic communications involving a project or family af-fairs could have you feeling scattered and unfocused. Too many important concerns have hit you at once. It can be confusing, but take them one at a time and don’t be tempt-ed to try to accomplish everything at once. Your mind is steady and analytical today. Go with the flow and all will get done.

Good news about money could fill you with ideas about how to spend it, particularly on your home. Maybe you need new furniture or have been thinking about painting or re-decorating. This is a great time to do it as long as you’re care-ful and not to let your exuberance get the better of you. You don’t want to have to repaint or take unwanted furniture back to the store.

Your mind is sharp and ready to take on anything thrown your way. Family members or friends could pick up on this pretty quickly, so don’t be surprised if they come to you for help and advice. You’ll probably give a lot of it today, so be prepared. Paperwork might be a bit overwhelm-ing. As long as you take it one step at a time, you’ll get it all done.

Books and magazines on psychic, spiritual, or metaphysi-cal matters could take up a lot of your attention today. Your inclination could be to let your routine tasks go in favor of continuing to read calling all your friends to tell them what you’ve learned. Save it for this evening. You’re too conscien-tious to let your work slide, and you’d feel derelict in your duty if you did.

A fairly recent goal that you’ve set for yourself might seem a bit overwhelming. You might wonder if you’ll get it done. Though you could easily become distracted, you can focus when you try, and this is what you should do now. Fi-nances may need attention, and possibly paperwork, but this is only routine work.

Today you should feel especially optimistic and enthusi-astic about life. You’ll have a lot of great ideas about what to do with your day, but unfortunately, your ability to put these plans into motion will probably be curtailed by other responsibilities. This could have you champing at the bit all day, but what the heck? Tonight you can do whatever you want!

You might be planning to attend a social event today. You’re looking forward to it. Paperwork could take up so much of your time today that you wonder if you can make it. The paperwork doesn’t seem to be that urgent. Do as much as you can and then take off and go to your party. You de-serve it. The planetary energies are lining up to break up the mental fog that you’ve been experiencing.

Discussions about religion could come up during your day. A recent rush of intuitive revelations could cause you to want to expound on your beliefs, but this could backfire. This isn’t the day to try to convince others of anything. This also isn’t a good day to think in terms of getting away for a while. Kick around a few ideas, but make definite plans later.

Friends or a group with which you’re affiliated might run into financial difficulties and ask for your advice. It wouldn’t be a good idea to give it, at least not today. Your thoughts aren’t as focused as they should be. You might use a little intuition to guide you. Your ability to see under the surface is good now.

Communication with family members and the special person in your life could be frustrating today. Either you aren’t in accord or you keep missing each other. Don’t be frustrated. It’s the planetary energy running a little interference. By tomorrow this aspect will have passed and you’ll once again find yourselves on common ground.

Plans for travel or advancing your education could be on your mind. Your excitement might keep you from focus-ing on whatever tasks you have to do. Don’t worry about it. Your steadfastness will enable you to get your tasks com-pleted in spite of anything that may distract you. Either that, or the people around you will keep reminding you of your responsibilities!

Thoughts of romance and dreams of a wonderful evening with that special someone are foiled by work that needs to be done right away. This might concern finances. It could involve a lot of deep thought on subjects that don’t particu-larly interest you. Don’t let this get you down. Get through the chores and then plan your evening. It won’t be too late to have fun.

Directs concerned

for immediate restoration of public utilities

ANANTNAG, JANUARY 06:

Minister for Tourism, Mr. Gh-ulam Ahmad Mir today conducted an extensive tour of Kapran area and took stock of the damages caused to the public utilities due to recent heavy snow fall.

The Tourism Minister, who is also MLA of the area, accompanied by a team of officers, assessed the losses to the property and public utilities in several villages and hamlets. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure early restoration of power and drinking water supply besides immediate clearance of snow on the link roads for convenience of the people of the area.

During the tour, the Minister also took stock of the preparedness of the administration in case of further snowing in the area and asked the

concerned authorities to be vigilant and pro-active to meet any eventual-ity. He said people in the snowbound areas have high expectations with the state government adding that no stone should be left unturned to restore road connectivity, electric-ity and drinking water supply in the affected areas on war-footing. He asked the officers and engineers to ensure quick response in their respective jurisdiction in this hour of need. He said there should be no laxity in this regard

The Minister ascertained mea-sures taken by the concerned district administrations for restoring public services in snow affected areas and mitigating their difficulties.

The Minister called upon the concerned District officers to ensure punctuality of their subordinate staff in their respective areas for convenience of the people adding that functioning of essential ser-vices especially healthcare, drinking water, and power supply facilities should not be affected in remote and hilly areas at any cost.The Minister, during the tour, also took stock of the supply of essential commodi-ties and directed CA&PD to ensure supply and distribution of ration to the consumers in time. He asked the concerned Deputy Commissioner

to intensify the services of market checking squads to check black mar-keting and hoarding.Meanwhile, the Minister also reviewed supply and

stock position of essential commodi-ties at an officers meeting at District head quarter Anantnag. He directed concerned to frequently visit re-

mote and hilly areas and assess the people’s problems and developmen-tal needs for immediate redressal, especially during winter.

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 06-

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ali Moham-mad Sagar and Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bod-ies, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today laid the foundation stone of Sewer-age Scheme Baghe-Roopsingh here at Miskeen Bagh.

The scheme to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.58 crore would benefit a population of 1380 living in the area and its catch-ments.

Addressing locals after laying the foundation, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar said the government has framed a com-prehensive programme for holistic development of historic city of Sri-nagar.

Commissioner Srinagar Mu-

nicipal Corporation, Dr. G. N. Qasba, Vice Chairman, LAWDA, Mr. Irfan Yasin, Chief Engineer UEED and other senior officers of the district administration and various other departments were present on the occasion. Mr. Sagar said that the government has undertaken several programmes for ensuring sustained development for the Srinagar City which was pushed to the backburn-er by a particular political party during its tenure. “The present government has not only undertak-en several programmes for ensuring the development of Srinagar city which includes, construction of community halls, widening of roads for better traffic mobility, construc-tion of super speciality hospital and bringing the whole city Srinagar on the tourist circuit by developing it on heritage pattern”, he added.

The Minister said that the gov-

ernment has also worked tirelessly for the restoration and sustainment of peace, which has ensured that the pace of developmental works is speeded up and the tourist inflow to the state increase in a geometric progression. He said that the people of the state are aware of the work done by the present government for ensuring their socio-economic development and they would give befitting reply to the forces trying to mislead them by their propaganda.

The Minister for Urban Develop-ment and Urban Local Bodies, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora, while speak-ing on the occasion said that the government has undertaken several initiatives for the development of Srinagar city on modern lines. He said that people should come for-ward and avail benefits of various schemes undertaken for their de-velopment.

JAMMU, JANUARY 06 – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has extended felicitation to the people on the birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh Ji, whishing them well-being and prosperity.

In his message issued on Guru Purab here today, the Chief Minister wished Guru Purab to be harbinger for peace and de-velopment in the State and the Country.

Omar Abdullah said that celebration of holy occasions in an atmosphere of amity and brotherhood adds colour to the blissful events.

Governor greets people on Gurupurab

JAMMU, JANUARY 6: Mr. N. N. Vohra, the Governor has greet-ed the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

In a message of felicitations, the Governor observed that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a warrior, poet and a philosopher who strived for building a society based on equality, brotherhood and respect for women. He said that the values underlying the teach-ings of the great Guru should guide our endeavours to establish a just social order.

The Governor expressed the hope that this auspicious occa-sion would usher the State towards peace, progress and pros-perity and further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood and the secular traditions which have been the hallmark of the glorious heritage and composite ethos of Jam-mu and Kashmir for centuries past.The Governor prayed for the well-being of the people of the State on this occasion.

Omar greets people on Guru Purab

SDA to promote flat-type housing in Srinagar: Jora

RS Pura deputation calls on CA&PD Minister

Govt contemplates to open sale out-lets in uncovered areas. Ch Ramzan

Speaker inspects Assembly library Library committee calls for digitalization of collection

Sagar, Jora lay foundation of sew-erage Scheme of Bagh-e-Roopsingh

G. A. Mir tours snow affected villages of Kapran area

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 06:

Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) Monday made allotment of eight leftover residential flats in Gulposh Apartments Bemina as a part of its initiative to promote flatted housing in Srinagar city.

The allotment was made through draw of lots conducted in presence of Min-ister for Urban Development & Urban Local Bodies, Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora.

Vice-Chairman SDA, Mr Shafaat Noor Barlas, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir, Mr Hilal Ahmad Parray, Commis-sioner SMC, Dr G N Qasba, VC LAWDA, Mr Irfan Yasin, Chief Town Planner Kashmir, Hakeem Iftikhar, Chief Engineer UEED, Mr Mohammad Hanief, Director Land Manage-ment, SDA, Ms Rubina Kousar and other senior officers of the Housing & Urban De-velopment Department were present on the occasion.SDA has constructed around 60 residential flats as Gulposh Apartments, near J&K Bank Bemina.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jora

said 500 more residential flats are being constructed by SDA at Bemina under She-hjar Apartments project for which country’s premier financial institution HUDCO has been co-opted as architectural consultant. He said SDA would also be availing financ-ing for the ambitious project from HUDCO.

The Minister said that HUDCO has already submitted to SDA preliminary drawings of Shehjar Apartments, and they have been asked to make some modifica-tions in the same so that the vertical colony comes up as per the traditional Kashmiri architecture and in tune with the weather conditions of the Valley.Giving a resume of Shehjar Apartments project, the Minister said that besides constructing around 500, two bedroom and three bedroom resi-dential flats, the Vertical Housing Colony, spread over around 100 kanals of land, shall also be provided with 40 ft wide main road and 30 ft wide internal roads transect-ing various apartment blocks. The Vertical Colony would be provided with adequate underground and surface parking facility.

JAMMU. JANUARY 06:

Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD), Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan has said that the gov-ernment contemplates to setup more CA&PD outlets in uncovered areas of the State add-ing that in this regard the CA&PD Ministry has submitted a proposal to the govern-ment for approval.

The Minister during was interacting with a deputation of R S Pura, who called on him here today at Civil Secretariat.

The deputationists urged for opening of PDS sale outlets in the villages lacking the same adding that without these the inhab-itants were facing immense hardships in getting ration.

They also requested for issuance of ra-tion cards to all households of border Teh-sil and said that many families are yet to get these and they have to purchase the food

grains from the open market. The deputa-tion also urged for streamlining the home delivery of LPG cylinders in the area.

The Minister issued on the spot in-structions to the concerned CA&PD au-thorities to look into the matter and take appropriate action to redress the genuine demands of the people of the area.

Ch. Ramzan directed the concerned to ensure proper home delivery of LPG in the area and ensure a close check on black marketing and hoarding of essen-tial commodities. He also instructed for timely supply and distribution of ration to the consumers. He said any negligence in this regard from the concerned would be viewed seriously.

The CA&PD Minister directed the con-cerned authorities to issue ration cards to all deserving families on priority so that they would not face any inconvenience in getting ration.

JAMMU JANUARY 06:

Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legis-lative Assembly, Mr. Mubarak Gul, along with the members of the Library Com-mittee, todayinspected Library Block of the Assembly in the Old Assembly Com-plex here today.During the inspection, Members of the Committee, legisla-tors, Mr. M. Y. Tarigami, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, Advocate Abdul Haq Khan, Mr. Muhammad Khalil Bhand, Mr. Lal Chand and Mr. Ashwani Kumar Shar-ma went round various halls and enquired about the collection of rare books preserved in the Library since last 40 years. Secretary Assembly Mr. M. Ramzan also accompanied the committee. On the occasion, the Speaker said that the Assembly Library is being upgraded with modern and latest cataloguing adopted by national and international libraries adding that the process in this regard has already

been initiated. He said the library- with a huge collection of rare books that pro-vides a precious treasure for the young and the future generation, shall be well preserved and made accessible to all.

Mr. Gul said that the books of re-vered saints and religious scholars are

available in the Assembly library. He said that copies of these prestigious text books have been kept in the library of the parliament at New Delhi also.

Earlier, Speaker chaired a meet-ing of the committee to review the measures taken for preservation and proper indexing of the collection in the

library. The members of the Committee sug-

gested for digitalization and comput-erization of the entire collection, par-ticularly the rare collection available in the Library to make the material avail-able online. They also suggested that

the books based on latest techniques of Information Technology and Science Technology besides the Law and Legislation may also be kept available in the Library.

The Secretary Assem-bly Mr. M. Ramzan briefed the Committee about the functioning of the Library section. He informed that as many as 27000 valuable

references in English, Urdu and other languages are available in the Library at Jammu followed by equal number of books at Srinagar.Mr. Ramzan said that Assembly Secretariat has a proposal to set up a full-fledged Library on the pat-tern of Parliament at the upcoming legislature complex.