DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2013 (PAGE 3)

‘Kashmir issue creation of Nehru’

PM’s stand on Chineseincursion dangerous: Rao

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: Making ascathing attack on UPA, BJPnational general secretary, PMurlidhar Rao today said that ithas failed on every front.Whether it be the internal securi-ty of the country or be it nation’seconomy UPA has been a fail-ure.

While addressing a seminarorganized by Dr MookerjeeSimriti Nyas here this evening,he said the attitude that PrimeMinister, Dr Manmohan Singhhas adopted on Chinese incur-sion is dangerous for the coun-try.

"If Kashmir is not there wewill fail as a nation state. Indiashould not fail in Kashmirbecause it will be a failure of ourConstitution,” he added.

Terming the accession ofJammu and Kashmir with Indiaas complete, Rao said, “It iswrong that people of Jammu andKashmir are not with India. Thehistory reveals that people of theState have always been withIndia. Kashmir is an integral partof India and India is in the heartsof people of the state”, he added.

He said “Article 370 is erod-ing and it will erode soon. It willnot remain as it is not a perma-

nent Article. Even the leaderslike Jawahar Lal Nehru andSardar Patel said that the articlewas not permanent, he added.

"There are some people whobelieve that Article 370 guaran-tees religious pluralism, protectssub-nationalism... but 370 hasnot been imposed across thecountry. Gujarat’s identity hasnot ended because of theabsence of Article 370. Theidentity of Tamil Nadu andBengal has also not ceded, headded. Mr Rao, while justifyingthe demand for abrogation of theArticle 370 said, the number ofMuslims has not reduced neitherhas there been any effect on lan-guage because of the absence ofArticle 370. It is the Constitutionof India which kept the statesecured and similarly inKashmir these things are guar-anteed by the society and theIndian Constitution, he added.

Insisting that religion can-not be the basis of nationhood,Rao said, "Political class ofJammu and Kashmir shouldunderstand Pakistan is nolonger a country to be revered.Pakistan as a state has failedand

Pakistan as an idea is facingexistential crisis.”

He said “separatist move-

ment in Kashmir has no groundand it has no legitimacy.Secularism will not survive ifseparatism gains ground. In1947 there was no threat to thesecularism but if separatismgains in Kashmir it will pose athreat to the secularism acrossthe nation,” he added.

Asking Chief MinisterOmar Abdullah not to instigatecommunal violence in the state,Rao said he should learn fromthe life of his grandfatherSheikh Abdullah, who believedin the unity of the state withIndia.

Highlighting the plight ofsome sections of the Muslimcommunity, including scav-engers and Gujjar Bakerwals,Rao said: “every section of thesociety should enjoy the fruitsof development.” He added thatthe State Government had noright to draw “dividing lines”.”The ruling administrationshould see the people of thestate as one,” he said.

Addressing the seminar BJPState president Jugal KishoreSharma regretted that StateGovernment is bothered for thewelfare of militants and theirrehabilitation and not of sol-diers who laid down their livesin fighting Pak sponsored ter-rorism in J&K.

“If a terrorist is killed CMcondoles. Even dreaded terror-ist like Afzal Guru is calledGuru Sahib but there is no wordof appreciation for the soldierswho attain martyrdom whilefighting terrorism’’, he added

He said Muslims likeMaqbool Sherwani, MasterAbdul Aziz, Brig Usman andothers laid down their lives fornation and their contribution andsacrifices are our strength.

Sheikh Shakeel in his speechsaid that Muslims are not averseto BJP but the trust deficit needsto be bridged.

BJP Legislative party leader,Ashok Khajuria also spoke onthe occasion.

BJP national general secretary, P Murlidhar Rao addressing a seminar at Jammu on Friday.-Excelsior/Rakesh

PIL against non-functioning of Attendants' SaraiDB directs Div Com to constitute committee to ascertain facilities

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: In aPublic Interest Litigation (PIL)filed by Viklang Chhatra Trustregarding non-functioning ofSarai for attendants of patientsvisiting Government MedicalCollege Jammu, DivisionBench of High Court compris-ing Justice Mansoor AhmedMir and Justice Tashi Rabstanhas directed the DivisionalCommissioner to constitute acommittee to ascertain whetherall the facilities were availablein the Sarai.

While taking-up the PublicInterest Litigation for final dis-posal, the DB observed, "rightfrom January 29, 2004 variousorders have been passed by theCourt. The respondents havealso filed status report andtaken steps to construct theSarai for the attendants of thepatients of GMC Jammu and itsAssociated Hospitals namelySMGS Hospital, CD Hospitaland Psychiatric Hospital".

After hearing SeniorAdvocate Sunil Sethi withAdvocates Sumit Nayyar andMohsin Bhatt appearing for thePIL whereas AAG HA Siddiquiand Deputy AG NeeruGoswami for the State respon-dents, Division Bench directedDivisional Commissioner to

constitute a committee consist-ing of heads of HealthDepartment, Red CrossSociety, Social WelfareDepartment and somerespectable senior citizens ofJammu city in order to ascer-tain as to whether all the facili-ties are available in the Saraiand whether the attendants of

the patients are comfortable ornot".

"In case the committeemakes any recommendation,the Divisional CommissionerJammu should act upon thesame and pass appropriateorders", the DB said and evendirected DivisionalCommissioner to report com-pliance on monthly basisbefore this Court.

Omar reduces time frame forrehabilitation project from 5 to 3 years

* Reviews progress on Dal development projectExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 12: ChiefMinister, Omar Abdullah todaydirected for shrinking the timeframe of the Rehabilitation andResettlement Project for Daldwellers from five years to threeyears asking Lakes andWaterways DevelopmentAuthority (LAWDA) to fast trackthe activities of paying compensa-tion to the affected families andproviding them plots at the identi-fied sites.

Chairing a high level meetingto review the pace of progress onrehabilitation project for Daldwellers, the Chief Minister saidthat at least 500 structures shouldbe targeted to be paid compensa-tion each year during the nextthree years alongwith providingplots to the affected families tocomplete the project by 2015-16.

The meeting was attended byMinister for Urban Development,Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister ofState for Home, Sajjad AhmadKichloo, Chief Secretary,Mohammad Iqbal Khandey,Principal Secretary to the ChiefMinister, B. B. Vyas,Commissioner Secretary Housing

and Urban Development, Jeet Lal,Divisional Commissioner,Kashmir, Shalinder Kumar,District DevelopmentCommissioner, Srinagar, FarooqAhmad Shah, Vice ChairmanLAWDA, Irfan Yasin and variousother senior officers.

The Chief Minister asked theLAWDA to speed up the land fill-ing and development of plots atRakh-e-Arth where plots arebeing developed for rehabilitationof Dal dwellers. He also directedthe Divisional Commissioner,Kashmir to accelerate the pace onthe process of finalizing compen-sation and allotment of plots to theaffected families. He said neces-sary revenue staff should beplaced on the job with clear direc-tions to fast track the completionof revenue matters so that shiftingof families from the Dal takesplace smoothly.

In a PowerPoint presentationthe Vice Chairman LAWDA,gave resume of the present statusof land development at Rakh-e-Arth. He said the project involvesdevelopment cost of over Rs. 416crores while the acquisition ofland and structures from insideDal and drudging of the Lake

involves Rs. 356 crores.Giving details of the develop-

ment plan of Rakh-e-Arth, he saidthat out of 7,526 kanals of landmade available for housingcolony for Dal dwellers, 4,000kanals would be under plots, 1082kanals under roads, 175 kanalsunder commercial offices, 50kanals under institutions, 438kanals under nodal facilities, 150kanals under education and healthfacilities, 189 kanals under playfields, parks and incidental spaces,50 kanals for religious purpose,340 kanals for graveyards, 52kanals for sewerage treatment and1,000 as wetlands.

Irfan Yasin said that in total2,532 structures are being pro-cured in the Dal Lake, of which,868 have been acquired so far. Hesaid in addition to this 631 struc-tures are also proposed to beacquired from Saida Kadal andAshai Bagh side of the Lake.

The meeting was told that landmass of 4,453 kanals, 6,255kanals of watery land underNadroo and moving land underRadhs and Peechi from Dal andNageen Lakes is being acquiredunder the project.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chairing high level meeting at Srinagar on Friday.

NABARD celebrates 32nd Foundation Day

‘J&K needs inclusive growth of Agri sectorfor improving socio economic standard’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: For improv-ing its socio-economic standard,the Jammu and Kashmir needs anaccelerated and inclusive growthin Agriculture and allied sector,which contributes 21 percent tothe State's GSDP as against allIndia average of 14 percent.

This was stated by Dr T Haq,Director Council for SocialDevelopment, New Delhi and for-mer Chairman of theCommission for AgriculturalCosts and Prices, Government ofIndia, while delivering keynoteaddress during the 32ndFoundation Day celebrationfunction, here today.

For accelerated development,he identified focus areas, whichinclude higher density plantingin apple orchards, utilizing abun-dant availability of raw materialfor processing and value addi-tion, exploiting unutilized poten-tial of floriculture, medicinal andaromatic plants, etc.

Dr Haq also identified thrust

areas, which can be developedwith coordinated intervention ofall the stakeholders. The areasidentified by him include villagelevel and farm level develop-ment of seed sector, technologytransfer, promotion of low costGreen House technology forvegetables, micro-irrigationmanagement, organic farming,promotion of producer compa-nies and co-operative marketingsocieties, promotion of dry landhorticulture, replacement of oldand senile orchards, develop-ment of post harvest infrastruc-ture such as market, storage, pro-cessing, training and promotionof diversification and value addi-tion especially preservationfacilities for fruits, vegetables,livestock and other agro prod-ucts.

Dr Haq also invited attentionof Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon,Commissioner SecretaryAgriculture ProductionDepartment in the StateGovernment, also present in theprogramme as the guest of hon-

our, towards policy level inter-ventions required for increasedinvestment in rural infrastructureand legalizing land leasing with-in farming community etc.

Appreciating NABARD'sconcern for promoting agricul-ture and allied sector in the State,Dr Asgar Samoon said that thevaluable inputs would facilitatedevelopment of future strategiesand actionable points for all theStake holders.

Earlier, in his openingremarks, Dr G BMukhopadhyay, CGMNABARD, J&K RegionalOffice, said that NABARD wasplaying an important role in`financial inclusion' agenda ofthe Government.

Samriti Bhagat, AssistantGeneral Manager NABARD,J&K Regional Office, thankedall the participants, who alsoincluded representatives of RBI,SBI, PNB, EDB, JKGB,Cooperative Bank and NGOs.

On the occasion, a souvenirwas also released.

Director, Council for Social Development Dr T Haq, Commissioner Secy AgricultureProduction Dr Asgar Samoon and others releasing a souvenir on the occasion of NABARDFoundation Day on Friday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

JE goes missing after being lifted from Rajouri office Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: A JuniorEngineer (JE) of the Roads andBuilding (R&B) Department,posted in Rajouri has gone miss-ing after being lifted in a vehicleby some unknown persons on July10.

Identified as young SunnyDogra, son of Vijay Dogra, resi-dent of Gandhi Nagarin Jammu, the JE hadbeen receiving threatsfrom some people athis place of workingfor the last some timeand he had shared itwith his family aswell. He was present-ly posted in RajouriR&B Division.

The sources saidthat in the afternoonon Wednesday, Sunny was takento some unknown place by some‘persons’ including two contrac-tors. Thereafter, his whereaboutswere not known. His wife JyotiDogra and father Vijay Dogra gotworried in Jammu after Sunny’smobile phone remained switchedoff and went untraced. Yesterday,they arrived at Rajouri and afterinquiring from staff and land lordon ITI Road Rajouri lodged amissing report with the Rajouripolice. His motor-cycle was alsofound parked in the office ofExecutive Engineer.

Today, Sunny’s father andwife met the DeputyCommissioner Rajouri, F CBhagat and submitted a writtencomplaint alleging that Sunnywas receiving threats from somecontractors and was upset. He hadalso shared this with the wife onphone few days back. He was alsoreceiving harassment at his work-

place from someinsiders as they hadinvolved ‘outsiders’/outgoing engineers toprepare some ficti-tious bills.

The familydemanded a thoroughinquiry into the matterand also urged the DCand the SSP Rajouri toget him traced andtake action under law

after impartial probe into theworking at the Division. Theyalleged handiwork of some staffmembers in connivance with thecontractors behind his missing.

It is pertinent to mention herethat an AEE of R&B was alsobeaten up by some people inDarhal area of Rajouri some timeback over a petty issue. An FIRhad also been lodged besidesholding inquiry into the matter butfollowing some local politicalpressure, no action was takenagainst the accused persons andR&B engineer was victimizedthere.

Hepatitis-B may engulf entireKashmir, warn doctors

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 12:Following outbreak of Hepatitis-B at various places of Kashmir inthe last few months, doctors havewarned that the disease mayspread like a wild fire to entireKashmir in coming months ifswift and proper medical treat-ment is not provided to thepatients.

A top official of HealthDepartment termed the outbreakof the disease a "serious matter"and said the Health Departmenthad collected samples from anumber of patients suffering fromthis disease since decades. In thedistricts of Anantnag, Pulwamaand Kupwara, the HealthDepartment has found an alarm-ing increase of patients infectedwith the disease.

The official said the Healthdepartment, Kashmir, must act onemergency basis to arrest itsspread, else "it can be devastat-ing" for people of Kashmir.

"The disease has been spread-ing due the official apathytowards the health sector inKashmir. Quacks are selling med-

icine, especially in villages andthat is one of the main causes ofHepatitis B, the official said.

The official also blamed thedoctors for misleading peopleabout spread of the disease."There are some doctors whomislead people by saying that thedisease is spread by the use ofcontaminated water; this is nottrue. It (Hepatitis-B) is a chronicdisease here, and it spreads by re-using of syringes, needles and isalso transmitted through bloodand body fluids," he said.

The official cautioned that "inchronic form, Hepatitis B cancause severe symptoms such asdamage to the liver and even leadto liver cancer, while as acuteform leads to weakness, fatigue,fever, vomiting, as well as yel-lowing of the skin and the whitesof the eyes."

Pertinently, Hepatitis-B brokeout in Kaker village of Kupwaradistrict of North Kashmir withmore than 50 persons includingfive members of a family com-plaining of symptoms of the dis-ease. And similarly, the diseasehas broken out in Anantnag andPulwama district.

J&K crafts space on country’s talent mapAnmol among Indian Idol finalists;

well wishers appeal for voting*It is Jaswal after Parvez, Shubam

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: The Stateof Jammu and Kashmir is slowlyand steadily crafting space on thecountry’s talent map, as it is nowyoung and energetic AnmolJaswal who has made it to the top10 finalists of Indian Idols, aftertalented Parvez Rasool andpromising Shubam Khajuriarecently have sealed berth inTeam India and Indian Under-19squad respectively.

14-year old Jammu boy,

Anmol Jaswal, son of SurpalJaswal and Sonu Jaswal hasreceived a lavish praise from theadjudicators of the Indian Idolshow being telecast on Sony TVon every Saturday and Sunday.

Coming from the singingfamily background, Anmol hasreceived his early training fromhis parents. He is only secondsinger from the State after QaziTauqeer who has reached the top10 stage in this prestigious hunt.

Anmol’s 12-year old sister,Vidhi Jaswal also was the part oftop 20 finalists of the ongoingIndian Idol show, who, howeverfailed to make it to the top 10stage.

Meanwhile, in an effort to getJammu people voting for the sonof the soil rather hero, Prayas, anNGO has appealed to all theinternet and smart phone users to

vote for talented Anmol throughtheir internet and smart phonevoting, which will open at 8 pmon July 13 to 8 am on July 14,2013.

While taking to EXCEL-SIOR, Surpal Jaswal congratulat-ed local heroes Parvez Rasooland Shubam Khajuria for theirselection in the national cricketteams and said that these werethe changing times for the youthof Jammu and Kashmir as thepeople around the country were

now recognizing the talent of allthe three regions of the State.

However, Rakesh Sharmaand Vikrant Dogra, chairman andpresident of the Prayas respec-tively, while appealing the peoplefor voting, have feared that theban on pre-paid SMS serviceswould hamper chances of Anmolas voting on SMS is only possi-ble through post paid mobile con-nections.

They have appealed the peo-ple to use internet and smartphone for voting by download-ing, “Indian idol junior” app andby logging on towww.Myindianidol.com.

Jammu’s Anmol Jaswal displaying his singing talent duringan Indian Idol show at Sony TV.

Pak opens firing on IB

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: Pakistanitroops today fired on Indian for-ward posts along theInternational Border in forwardarea of Pindi in Arnia sub sectorof RS Pura tehsil, violatingceasefire agreement betweenthe two countries

Pak Rangers fired on BorderOut Posts along IB in Pindi for-ward area of R S Pura belt at9.35 am today, official sourcessaid.

The small arms firing wenton for a brief period, he said,adding that Border SecurityForce (BSF) troops guardingthe border fired back, resultingin exchanges, which last onlyfew minutes.

However, there was no lossof life or injury to anyone in thefiring, sources said.

Pakistani troops had violat-ed ceasefire along the Line ofControl on June 26 by resortingto unprovoked firing for nearly30 minutes in Poonch district.

There were five ceasefireviolations by Pakistan in the lastmonth.