Year: 2016

NGT issues notice to MoD, JK Govt on Bajpathri Firing Range

Editor

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to Union Ministry of Defence and J&K Government over the proposal for allowing Army to set up an artillery firing range in midst of a forest in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Army is seeking to establish the firing range in Bajpathri, in the vicinity of scenic Yusmarg tourist resort which is situated in Pirpanchal forest range. “Yes, the Tribunal today issued the notice to J&K Government and Defence Ministry over the Bajpathri issue,” said Rahul Choudhary, counsel for social activist Dr Raja Muzaffar…

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Ensure availability of H1N1 medicines; Health Secy

Editor

After reports of suspected H1N1 cases from some areas of the state, Governor NN Vohra today reviewed the preparedness of the Health and Medical Education Department to deal with any arising problem. The Governor was informed that a control room had been established at the Directorates of Health Services in Jammu and Srinagar and an advisory issued to all districts for sensitisation of health care professionals and paramedics, including ASHAs and anganwadi workers. The Governor was told that screening and sample collections centres had been established at Government Medical College…

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‘231 students, 17 minors among 634 arrested for ‘stone-pelting’ in 2015’

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Police have arrested at least 231 students and 17 minors on charges of stone-pelting in 2015, official documents have revealed. According the official data compiled by J&K Police, there were 281 incidents of stone-pelting last year in which 634 persons were arrested. “Of these, 231 were students,” the documents reveal. “17 minors were also arrested in 2015 in connection with stone-pelting.” In the police figures, 120 stone pelting incidents have taken place in Srinagar (in 2015) in which 124 students were arrested—the highest in any district. “10 minors were also…

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Daily wagers threaten to snap water supply to VIP zones after Feb 15

Editor

Water supply to VIP zones in both capital cities may be snapped by the daily wagers, CP workers and casual labourers’ association after February 15 if their issue of regularisation of service is not taken up seriously by the state government. They want people at the helm of affairs to feel the pain of families of these workers who have given everything to the government, but in return are not even getting monthly remuneration on time. This was decided in a meeting held under the chairmanship of the All J&K…

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State to get World Bank fund to prepare for natural calamities

Editor

$250 million loan assistance for infra reconstruction to be spent by 2020 Following the agreement between India and World Bank to provide $250 million loan for flood recovery plan in Jammu and Kashmir, the state will be entitled for special funds till 2020 to prepare itself to deal with natural calamities. As per the agreement, the bank will maintain a “contingent emergency response component”, under which funds will immediately be made available to the state to respond to the crisis situation, should they occur during the implementation of the reconstruction…

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Road contractors want three-year maintenance clause changed

Editor

Contractors involved in blacktopping and construction of roads in Jammu are making renewed efforts to change the three-year maintenance-guarantee rider included by the Roads and Building (R&B) Department during the PDP-BJP government. The clause was included to end the use of substandard material while laying road network. Feeling the pinch as they are now accountable for works undertaken by them, majority of the contractors want the deficit liability clause lowered to one year as was the norm earlier to repair or reconstruct any newly laid road if its condition deteriorates…

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In absence of civic bodies, state loses Rs 169cr funds

Editor

Centre also refuses to release Rs 125 cr allocated to JK this fiscal The cash-starved Jammu and Kashmir has lost over Rs 169 crore under the 13th Finance Commission allocation due to the non-conduct of urban local bodies elections which have been pending in the state for the last six years. Apart from this, the Union Government has refused to release grants to the state against the allocation of Rs 125.30 crore during the current fiscal year in the absence of duly constituted municipalities. The information about the allocations was…

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Snowfall likely in Kashmir Region; Traffic restrictions imposed on Jammu-Srinagar highway

Editor

Traffic will continue to ply from both sides of the 300 km Jammu-Srinagar highway on Saturday, although weatherman has predicted snowfall in Kashmir. Under the influence of a western disturbance, according to Met department, heavy snowfall may take place at few places in the valley while plains may receive a smaller shares, compared to upper reaches. “The prediction is till Saturday and the situation may change later,” Director Meteorological department Sonam Lotus told. A day earlier weatherman had also urged the state administration to be prepared and maintain vigil. Traffic…

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Three pharmaceutical companies in dock

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‘Criminal complaint filed for supplying spurious drugs’ Drug Department Friday filed a criminal complaint against 7 accused including three big pharmaceutical companies of India in the court of law after drug laboratory analysis report confirmed that drugs produced and supplied by these companies in Kashmir are not of standard quality and are spurious. Standing Council for Drug Department Baramulla Advocate Saleem Yousuf told CNS that Drug Inspector Sopore and Baramulla after receiving multiple complaints from attendants and medicos had lifted the samples of three injections namely, Dicoliv, Phenegram B, and…

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PDP toughens stand, wants concrete assurances from BJP

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They did not say why government formation was taking time. PDP insiders told that the only way to end the logjam is to reopen a channel of communication, which was snapped after Union Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari’s visit to Ms. Mufti’s residence on January 10. The shift stoked speculation that government formation would take longer than expected, though senior PDP leader Nayeem Akhtar sought to play down any link. “Following Mufti Sahab’s demise, the family took his personal belongings out and vacated the CM’s designated official residence”. Mehbooba intends…

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