DAILY EXCELSIOR - page1.qxd (Page 2) · 2018. 5. 13. · Excelsiordaily REGD. NO. JK-71/18-20 Vol...
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Excelsior daily REGD. NO. JK-71/18-20 RNI No. 28547/65 Vol No. 54 No. 132 JAMMU, MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018 12 Pages ` 5.00 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 13: As exclusively reported by the Excelsior, BJP president Amit Shah today ordered appoint- ment of fire-brand BJP MLA from Nowshera, Ravinder Raina as new State president of the party. Raina's appointment order as new party chief was released today by BJP national general secretary, Arun Singh. Post of the State BJP presi- dent had fallen vacant as Sat Sharma `CA' had resigned keep- ing in view the party's norm of `one man one post' following his induction as the Cabinet Minister. Raina's appointment is being seen as major attempt by the BJP high command to rejuvenate the party in the State ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. Soon after his appointment, Ravinder Raina and BJP organizing secretary, Ashok Koul were called to New Delhi by the party high command this afternoon, where they held delibera- tions with BJP general secretary (organiza- tions) Ram Lal and Union Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh. Tomorrow, Raina will attend all State BJP presidents' meeting in New Delhi, which among oth- ers will also be addressed by party's national president Amit Shah. While the State presidents' meeting will discuss political sit- uation across the country, it would also take up Jammu and Kashmir situation. The meeting would plan party's strategy for next year's Lok Sabha elections. Sources said during their meetings with Ram Lal and Dr Jitendra Singh, Ravinder Raina and Ashok Koul discussed latest politi- cal and security situa- tion in Jammu and Kashmir including working of the new Ministers, who had taken over just about a fortnight back. BJP's Alliance partner, PDP's demand for ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramadhan and Shri Amarnath Ji yatra also came up for discussion during the meetings in which it was noted that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has already ruled out ceasefire in the Valley on the ground that Army needs to maintain pressure on militants to finish them. Sources said the steps required to rejuvenate the party before 2019 Lok Sabha elections were also discussed during the meetings Ravinder Raina and Ashok Koul had with the nation- al party leaders. Raina had already met BJP president Amit Shah few days back. Meanwhile, in a tweet, Dr Jitendra Singh while extending congratulations to Ravinder Raina on his appointment as new State BJP president, said: "sure you will have a glorious innings''. Ravinder Raina would assume charge of new post after his return from New Delhi. Raina is new J&K BJP chief, meets top brass in Delhi Gopal Sharma JAMMU, May 13: About 32 kanals of prime land of J&K Government, worth over Rs 150 crore, purchased by the then Dogra rulers at Amritsar before partition has been grabbed by some influential politicians of Punjab while the State Government is sleeping over the matter. While nearly 20 kanal (19.4 kanal) J&K Govt land on 2- Court Road, Amritsar, pur- chased by the State Government during early 1950s, valuing over Rs 120 crore, where JK House is located, is still under the control of the State Government, but this property has been lying in shambles due to the apathy of the J&K Government. If the State Government continued its indifferent stance towards this property, it will also go out of the hands of the J&K Government. Official sources told the Excelsior that JK House at Amritsar is facing official apa- thy as out of the total sanctioned strength of 18, just four employ- ees, including a daily wager are managing its affairs. There is no gardener to look after the 19.4 kanal Guest House at Court Road and more than 60 % of the plot has been virtually converted into 'jungle' with big bushes grown all over. The only gar- dener posted there also retired few months ago and nobody was placed there. The guests from J&K and even those who go for Medical treatment and want to stay there, are generally told that there is no space, while the fact remained that more than 50 percent of this space has been occupied by some staff members and their relatives. While the official quarter of the Manager Estates has been closed for want of minor maintenance, he has shifted to guest room at the main build- ing, leaving just two rooms for the visiting guests and just one VIP suit. Other three rooms, meant for guests have also been closed for the last sever- al years for want of some fur- niture items (beds) and minor repair work. The Management there has also stopped the operation of the kitchen at this JK House despite the fact that good kitchen with crockery, utensils, LPG cylinders, furniture etc. is available there. Even the break- fast or morning/ evening tea is not served to the guests staying there with no justified reason to explain by the staff there. Sources further revealed that 32.9 kanal prime land on Tapai Road (Dam Gunj) in Amritsar belonging to J&K Government has allegedly been grabbed by three persons including a J&K property worth Rs 150 cr grabbed in Amritsar, State Govt soft-pedaling on issue Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, May 13: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today ruled out ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir as demanded by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and support- ed by some other parties at a recent All Party Meeting in Srinagar and declared that terrorism would be dealt with sternly. Sitharaman responded to a question on the demand of ceasefire raised by Mehbooba at a press conference in the Union capital. Significantly, this was the first time that a top Central Government functionary has openly rejected the Chief Minister's demand, made at an All Party Meeting on May 9, calling for ceasefire in J&K on the pious occasion of Ramadhan, Eid festivities and Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage like Atal Behari Vajpayee had done in 2000. Prior to this, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had stated that he will speak to Mehbooba on her demand. "Indian Army has to firmly deal with terrorism not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in other party of the country. Army has to finish the terrorism by taking firm action,'' Sitharaman said. Asserting that Army will have to make sure that India is a safe country, the Defence Minister said: "it (the Army) has to handle firmly any terrorism which threatens peace and har- mony of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India also''. By declaring that Army will firmly handle and finish terror- ism in Jammu and Kashmir, Nirmala Sitharaman has ruled out any kind of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, sources pointed out. “I think it is important to handle Jammu and Kashmir affairs with a great deal of sen- sitivity. But the Indian Army will have to make sure that India is a safe country. It has to handle firmly any terrorism which threatens the peace and harmony of Jammu and Kashmir. Army's position is that it has to be firm with ter- rorism,'' the Defence Minister said. Maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, Sitharaman declared that the India Army will remain firm in its action. "Army's role can't be reduced every minute. It has to be ready to finish terrorism. There will be no let up on terror. We will take action every minute,'' she asserted. Sitharaman's statement came four days after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, while speak- ing to reporters after an All Party Meeting, stated that the partici- pants had agreed to appeal the Centre to announce year 2000- like Ramadhan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir to ease ten- sion and facilitate peaceful Ramadhan, tourist season and Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage. "Everyone was concerned about the present situation (in the Valley) about the killings, the youth picking up guns, stone pelting in which Chennai's 22 DM rules out ceasefire, says Army will finish militants Mohinder Verma JAMMU, May 13: The launch of Mass Rapid Transport System in Jammu and Srinagar cities, which was once the priority of PDP-BJP Coalition Government, has completely gone out of its focus as a result of which Draft Plan prepared by M/s RITES, a Government of India Enterprise, is gathering dust. Moreover, no formal decision has yet been taken on holding of more studies in the light of new Metro Policy of Government of India. Though launching Mass Rapid Transport System (metro rail) in Srinagar and Jammu cities remained hot topic in the State for many years yet formal step in this regard was initiated in the month of October 2016 when for preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) and also conducting preliminary studies the State Government engaged M/s RITES through Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA). It was stated at that time by those at the helm of affairs in the ERA that in the first phase, projects shall be pre- pared for the routes as sug- gested in the City Mobility Plan of Srinagar and Jammu. The then CEO had also revealed that process has been initiated following the offer of the Government of Japan inviting proposals for techni- cal cooperation under their Technical Cooperation Programme for Metro & Railway Projects in the main cities of different States in India. Further, it was informed that initially M/s RITES will prepare DPR for a length of 45 kilome- ters in Srinagar city and 30 kilo- meters for the capital city of Jammu. In the month of August last year, M/s RITES submitted Draft Plan to the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) for 30 kilometers route of metro in Jammu city and 45 kilometers route in Srinagar city. "However, no further development has taken place on Mass Rapid Transport System since then", official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding "even no serious delib- eration on the much-hyped system has been held at any level in the Government since August last year thereby establishing that much-needed metro rail facility in the capi- tal cities has completely gone out of the focus of the present dispensation". They disclosed that follow- ing submission of Draft Plan by M/s RITES the need to conduct more studies in respect of both the capital cities in the light of new Metro Policy of Government of India finalized in 2017 was felt but M/s RITES has yet not been given formal approval for the same till date despite a detailed presentation having been made in this regard before the concerned authorities of the Government. When contacted, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Reconstruction Agency Farooq Ahmed confirmed that no further development has taken place on the much need- ed Mass Rapid Transport System during the past some months. "Hopefully, the deci- sion about entrusting task of conducting more studies in the light of new Metro Policy of Govt showing no interest in Mass Rapid Transport System for Jammu, Srinagar CM speaks to HM on harassment of Kashmiris Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 13: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today spoke to Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and brought to his notice some cases of harassment of people from Jammu & Kashmir at Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister request- ed the Union Home Minister to issue necessary instructions to the concerned agencies so that the people from the State, who 7 killed as bridge collapses in PoK ISLAMABAD, May 13: At least seven medical stu- dents drowned and nine others were missing as a wooden bridge on a river in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir collapsed while the students were taking pictures on it. Around 25 students, in their early 20s, from two private col- leges in Faisalabad and Lahore, were taking pictures on the bridge in Neelum Valley when it collapsed, officials were quot- ed as saying by the Express Tribune. The temporarily erected UN hails removal of stamp duty for J&K women SRINAGAR, May 13: Hailing Jammu and Kashmir Government’s deci- sion to abolish stamp duty on sale of property owned by women in the State, a United Nations agency has termed it as a big step towards women empowerment. “.@unwomenindia acknowl- edges the positive measure taken by the J&K Government to abolish stamp duty on the sale of #property registered in the 7 killed in HP mishap SHIMLA, May 13: Seven people were killed and 12 others were seriously injured when a private bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge near Naeneti on Solan- Rajgarh road, about 70 km from here, today, police said. The ill-fated vehicle was on its way to Rajgarh from Manav when it fell into the gorge. Villagers rushed to the spot and informed the police. Seven people were killed and 12 were seriously injured in the accident, Mother lends shoulder to martyr son’s bier CHANDIGARH, May 13: As the country celebrated Mother’s Day, an aged woman in Gurdaspur walked in searing heat today as she lent a shoulder to the bier of her son, CRPF jawan Mandeep Kumar, who was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Tears rolled down Kunti Devi’s face as she walked. Kumar was the only child of Devi and her husband Nanak Chand. INSIDE WEATHER Assured Career Progression ...Page 6 * Supreme Court pulls up ASI Human trafficking a crime against humanity: Justice Hanjura ...Page 3 Tarakote Marg opened for Vaishnodevi pilgrims ....Page 3 Create tangible assets with optimal use of resources: Zulfkar to officers ....Page 5 Dr Nirmal must apologize to Army for contemptuous remarks: Harsh ....Page 5 Rayudu maiden IPL ton helps CSK beat SRH ...Page 10 JAMMU: Generally cloudy TEMPERATURE Max: 37.4 Degree C Min: 22.0 Degree C RELATIVE HUMIDITY RH-I (Morning): 44.0 per cent RH-II (Evening): 32.0 per cent Sunset on Monday: 07.21 p.m. Sunrise on Tuesday: 05.35 a.m. SRINAGAR: Generally cloudy TEMPERATURE Max: 21.2 Degree C Min: 11.4 Degree C RELATIVE HUMIDITY RH-I (Morning): 76.0 per cent RH-II (Evening): 61.0 per cent LEH: TEMPERATURE Max: 25.7 Degree C Min: 10.3 Degree C Download Mobile Apps of Daily Excelsior for Android and IOS http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/apps/ Download on the Google Play Store Download on the App Store A matador operator violates traffic signal at Gandhi Nagar. —Excelsior/Rakesh *Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com Waseem Ahmad SRINAGAR, May 13: More than three years have passed since floods washed away a foot bridge at Gangbugh area on the out- skirts of Srinagar but authori- ties are yet to rebuild it. The bridge over Srinagar flood spill channel was washed away in the devastating floods of 2014 leading to problems of commuting for locals. The locals, however, alleged that the use of substandard material in the construction led to the col- lapse of bridge that was built by the Department of Irrigational and Flood Control in 2013. The locals said they had made repeated requests to the authorities for its restoration but to no avail. "We have been run- ning from pillar to post for the restoration of the vital bridge but our pleas are unheard," Bashir Ahmad, a local said Ghulam Mohiddin Dar, a local resident, said that despite spending huge amount on the bridge, it could not stand during the floods. Dar said after the bridge was washed away, the resi- dents of the area contributed money and made a makeshift road so that they will be able to cross the flood channel. "The makeshift road often remains submerged during rains or when the water level in the flood channel rises. It becomes difficult for the vehi- cles to cross the uneven, muddy road and several vehi- cles have broken while plying on it," he said. Another local Ghulam Mohiddin Wani, alleged that the authorities also used the makeshift road for de-silting the flood channel and sold the mate- rial worth crores of rupees but turned blind eye towards the damaged bridge. Siraj-u-din, Executive Engineer I&FC department, Narbal Division, said that they had forwarded the estimate of funds required for the Over 3 years on, Gangbugh foot bridge awaits reconstruction Train services remain suspended in Valley SRINAGAR, May 13: Train service remained suspended for the 4th day today in the Kashmir valley following damage caused to railway track on Srinagar- Banihal route by demonstra- tors on May 9 afternoon. Train services remained sus- pended as repair work was still going on, a railway official said this morning. He said train serv- ices from Baramulla in North Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region via Srinagar will remain suspended till the repair work is completed. Train service was resumed only on May 9 after remaining suspended for security reasons since last Sunday after an encounter ensued in Shopian in which five Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were killed. Later during the subsequent demonstrators six civilians died in security force action. "We had resumed the train service on May 9 but had to sus- pend it again in the afternoon in South Kashmir after some demonstrators damaged track at Panzgam. However, train serv- ice continued in North Kashmir on May 9", the official said. He said repair work was going on to install three hundred track-circuit operating clip (TCOC) which were missing at Panzgam in South Kashmir after demonstrations. Therefore, he said, no train will chug on Srinagar-Budgam and Baramulla in North Kashmir. Similarly, all trains will remained suspended on Lack of focus even after preparation of Draft Plan RITES awaits nod for studies as per new Metro Policy (Contd on page 9 Col 1) (Contd on page 9 Col 3) A view of damaged foot bridge in Gangbugh area on the out- skirts of Srinagar. —Excelsior/Shakeel (Contd on page 9 Col 7) Local politician created plots, sold to some families (Contd on page 9 Col 7) (Contd on page 9 Col 5) (Contd on page 9 Col 1) (Contd on page 9 Col 7) (Contd on page 9 Col 1) (Contd on page 9 Col 3) *Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com ‘Terrorism threatens peace in J&K’ Role of troops can’t be reduced (Contd on page 9 Col 5) NEW DELHI, May 13: Dust storms and thunder- storms accompanied by gusty winds wreaked havoc in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and the national capi- tal, killing at least 34 people and leaving behind a trail of destruction. West Bengal bore the brunt of a thunderstorm that left at least 12 people including four children dead, while 11 were killed in Uttar Pradesh and nine in Andhra Pradesh, and two in Delhi, offi- cials said. At several places in North India including Delhi, high-veloc- ity winds uprooted trees and affected road, rail and air services. Today’s devastation comes over 10 days after storms hit UP, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Punjab, killing 134 people and injuring over 400. UP was the worst affected, accounting for 80 deaths, most of them in Agra district in the west- ern part of the State. Subsequently on May 9, sev- eral parts of Uttar Pradesh were struck by a severe storm that left Thunderstorms wreak havoc in 4 States, kill 34 (Contd on page 9 Col 1) A view of dust storm over Noida in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday night.
Transcript of DAILY EXCELSIOR - page1.qxd (Page 2) · 2018. 5. 13. · Excelsiordaily REGD. NO. JK-71/18-20 Vol...
Excelsiordaily
REGD. NO. JK-71/18-20RNI No. 28547/65Vol No. 54 No. 132 JAMMU, MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018 12 Pages `̀ 5.00
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 13: Asexclusively reported by theExcelsior, BJP president AmitShah today ordered appoint-ment of fire-brand BJP MLAfrom Nowshera, RavinderRaina as new State president ofthe party.
Raina's appointment order asnew party chief was releasedtoday by BJP national generalsecretary, Arun Singh.
Post of the State BJP presi-dent had fallen vacant as SatSharma `CA' had resigned keep-ing in view the party's norm of`one man one post' following hisinduction as the CabinetMinister.
Raina's appointment is being
seen as major attempt by the BJPhigh command to rejuvenate theparty in the State ahead of nextyear's Lok Sabha elections.
Soon after his appointment,Ravinder Raina and BJPorganizing secretary, AshokKoul were called toNew Delhi by theparty high commandthis afternoon, wherethey held delibera-tions with BJP generalsecretary (organiza-tions) Ram Lal andUnion Minister ofState in Prime Minister's Office(PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh.
Tomorrow, Raina will attendall State BJP presidents' meetingin New Delhi, which among oth-ers will also be addressed byparty's national president AmitShah.
While the State presidents'
meeting will discuss political sit-uation across the country, itwould also take up Jammu andKashmir situation. The meetingwould plan party's strategy fornext year's Lok Sabha elections.
Sources said during theirmeetings with RamLal and Dr JitendraSingh, RavinderRaina and Ashok Kouldiscussed latest politi-cal and security situa-tion in Jammu andKashmir includingworking of the new
Ministers, who had taken overjust about a fortnight back.
BJP's Alliance partner, PDP'sdemand for ceasefire in Jammuand Kashmir during Ramadhanand Shri Amarnath Ji yatra alsocame up for discussion duringthe meetings in which it wasnoted that Defence Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman has alreadyruled out ceasefire in the Valleyon the ground that Army needs tomaintain pressure on militants tofinish them.
Sources said the stepsrequired to rejuvenate the partybefore 2019 Lok Sabha electionswere also discussed during themeetings Ravinder Raina andAshok Koul had with the nation-al party leaders.
Raina had already met BJPpresident Amit Shah few daysback.
Meanwhile, in a tweet, DrJitendra Singh while extendingcongratulations to RavinderRaina on his appointment as newState BJP president, said: "sureyou will have a gloriousinnings''.
Ravinder Raina wouldassume charge of new post afterhis return from New Delhi.
Raina is new J&K BJP chief,meets top brass in Delhi
Gopal Sharma JAMMU, May 13: About
32 kanals of prime land ofJ&K Government, worth overRs 150 crore, purchased by thethen Dogra rulers at Amritsarbefore partition has beengrabbed by some influentialpoliticians of Punjab while theState Government is sleepingover the matter.
While nearly 20 kanal (19.4kanal) J&K Govt land on 2-Court Road, Amritsar, pur-chased by the State Governmentduring early 1950s, valuing overRs 120 crore, where JK House islocated, is still under the controlof the State Government, butthis property has been lying inshambles due to the apathy ofthe J&K Government. If the
State Government continued itsindifferent stance towards thisproperty, it will also go out ofthe hands of the J&KGovernment.
Official sources told theExcelsior that JK House atAmritsar is facing official apa-thy as out of the total sanctionedstrength of 18, just four employ-ees, including a daily wager aremanaging its affairs. There is nogardener to look after the 19.4kanal Guest House at CourtRoad and more than 60 % of theplot has been virtually convertedinto 'jungle' with big bushesgrown all over. The only gar-dener posted there also retiredfew months ago and nobody was
placed there. The guests fromJ&K and even those who go forMedical treatment and want tostay there, are generally toldthat there is no space, while thefact remained that more than 50percent of this space has beenoccupied by some staff membersand their relatives.
While the official quarterof the Manager Estates hasbeen closed for want of minormaintenance, he has shifted toguest room at the main build-ing, leaving just two rooms forthe visiting guests and just oneVIP suit. Other three rooms,meant for guests have alsobeen closed for the last sever-al years for want of some fur-
niture items (beds) and minorrepair work.
The Management there hasalso stopped the operation ofthe kitchen at this JK Housedespite the fact that goodkitchen with crockery, utensils,LPG cylinders, furniture etc. isavailable there. Even the break-fast or morning/ evening tea isnot served to the guests stayingthere with no justified reason toexplain by the staff there.
Sources further revealed that32.9 kanal prime land on TapaiRoad (Dam Gunj) in Amritsarbelonging to J&K Governmenthas allegedly been grabbed bythree persons including a
J&K property worth Rs 150 cr grabbed inAmritsar, State Govt soft-pedaling on issue
Sanjeev PargalJAMMU, May 13: Defence
Minister Nirmala Sitharamantoday ruled out ceasefire inJammu and Kashmir asdemanded by Chief MinisterMehbooba Mufti and support-ed by some other parties at arecent All Party Meeting inSrinagar and declared thatterrorism would be dealt withsternly.
Sitharaman responded to aquestion on the demand ofceasefire raised by Mehbooba ata press conference in the Unioncapital. Significantly, this wasthe first time that a top CentralGovernment functionary hasopenly rejected the ChiefMinister's demand, made at anAll Party Meeting on May 9,calling for ceasefire in J&K onthe pious occasion ofRamadhan, Eid festivities andShri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage like
Atal Behari Vajpayee had donein 2000. Prior to this, UnionHome Minister Rajnath Singhhad stated that he will speak toMehbooba on her demand.
"Indian Army has to firmlydeal with terrorism not only inJammu and Kashmir but in otherparty of the country. Army has tofinish the terrorism by takingfirm action,'' Sitharaman said.
Asserting that Army willhave to make sure that India is asafe country, the DefenceMinister said: "it (the Army) hasto handle firmly any terrorismwhich threatens peace and har-mony of Jammu and Kashmirand the rest of India also''.
By declaring that Army willfirmly handle and finish terror-ism in Jammu and Kashmir,Nirmala Sitharaman has ruledout any kind of ceasefire in
Jammu and Kashmir, sourcespointed out.
“I think it is important tohandle Jammu and Kashmiraffairs with a great deal of sen-sitivity. But the Indian Armywill have to make sure thatIndia is a safe country. It hasto handle firmly any terrorismwhich threatens the peace andharmony of Jammu andKashmir. Army's position isthat it has to be firm with ter-rorism,'' the Defence Minister
said.Maintaining that Jammu and
Kashmir is an integral part ofIndia, Sitharaman declared thatthe India Army will remain firmin its action.
"Army's role can't bereduced every minute. It has tobe ready to finish terrorism.There will be no let up on terror.
We will take action everyminute,'' she asserted.
Sitharaman's statement camefour days after Chief MinisterMehbooba Mufti, while speak-ing to reporters after an All PartyMeeting, stated that the partici-pants had agreed to appeal theCentre to announce year 2000-like Ramadhan ceasefire inJammu and Kashmir to ease ten-sion and facilitate peacefulRamadhan, tourist season andShri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage.
"Everyone was concernedabout the present situation (inthe Valley) about the killings,the youth picking up guns, stonepelting in which Chennai's 22
DM rules out ceasefire, says Army will finish militants
Mohinder VermaJAMMU, May 13: The
launch of Mass RapidTransport System in Jammuand Srinagar cities, which wasonce the priority of PDP-BJPCoalition Government, hascompletely gone out of itsfocus as a result of whichDraft Plan prepared by M/sRITES, a Government ofIndia Enterprise, is gatheringdust. Moreover, no formaldecision has yet been taken onholding of more studies in thelight of new Metro Policy ofGovernment of India.
Though launching MassRapid Transport System (metrorail) in Srinagar and Jammucities remained hot topic in theState for many years yet formalstep in this regard was initiatedin the month of October 2016when for preparing DetailedProject Report (DPR) and alsoconducting preliminary studiesthe State Government engagedM/s RITES through Jammu andKashmir EconomicReconstruction Agency (ERA).
It was stated at that timeby those at the helm of affairsin the ERA that in the first
phase, projects shall be pre-pared for the routes as sug-gested in the City MobilityPlan of Srinagar and Jammu.The then CEO had alsorevealed that process has beeninitiated following the offer ofthe Government of Japaninviting proposals for techni-cal cooperation under theirTechnical CooperationProgramme for Metro &Railway Projects in the maincities of different States inIndia.
Further, it was informed thatinitially M/s RITES will prepareDPR for a length of 45 kilome-ters in Srinagar city and 30 kilo-meters for the capital city ofJammu.
In the month of August lastyear, M/s RITES submittedDraft Plan to the EconomicReconstruction Agency (ERA)for 30 kilometers route of metroin Jammu city and 45 kilometersroute in Srinagar city.
"However, no furtherdevelopment has taken placeon Mass Rapid TransportSystem since then", officialsources told EXCELSIOR,adding "even no serious delib-eration on the much-hyped
system has been held at anylevel in the Government sinceAugust last year therebyestablishing that much-neededmetro rail facility in the capi-tal cities has completely goneout of the focus of the presentdispensation".
They disclosed that follow-ing submission of Draft Plan byM/s RITES the need to conductmore studies in respect of boththe capital cities in the light ofnew Metro Policy ofGovernment of India finalized in2017 was felt but M/s RITEShas yet not been given formalapproval for the same till datedespite a detailed presentationhaving been made in this regardbefore the concerned authoritiesof the Government.
When contacted, ChiefExecutive Officer of EconomicReconstruction AgencyFarooq Ahmed confirmed thatno further development hastaken place on the much need-ed Mass Rapid TransportSystem during the past somemonths. "Hopefully, the deci-sion about entrusting task ofconducting more studies in thelight of new Metro Policy of
Govt showing no interest in Mass Rapid Transport System for Jammu, Srinagar
CM speaks to HMon harassment of Kashmiris
Excelsior CorrespondentSRINAGAR, May 13: Chief
Minister, Mehbooba Muftitoday spoke to Union HomeMinister, Rajnath Singh andbrought to his notice some casesof harassment of people fromJammu & Kashmir at Delhi andHimachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister request-ed the Union Home Minister toissue necessary instructions tothe concerned agencies so thatthe people from the State, who
7 killed as bridge collapses in PoK
ISLAMABAD, May 13: At least seven medical stu-
dents drowned and nine otherswere missing as a woodenbridge on a river in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir collapsedwhile the students were takingpictures on it.
Around 25 students, in theirearly 20s, from two private col-leges in Faisalabad and Lahore,were taking pictures on thebridge in Neelum Valley whenit collapsed, officials were quot-ed as saying by the ExpressTribune.
The temporarily erected
UN hails removalof stamp duty forJ&K women
SRINAGAR, May 13: Hailing Jammu and
Kashmir Government’s deci-sion to abolish stamp duty onsale of property owned bywomen in the State, a UnitedNations agency has termed it asa big step towards womenempowerment.
“.@unwomenindia acknowl-edges the positive measuretaken by the J&K Governmentto abolish stamp duty on the saleof #property registered in the
7 killed in HP mishap
SHIMLA, May 13: Seven people were killed
and 12 others were seriouslyinjured when a private bus theywere travelling in fell into agorge near Naeneti on Solan-Rajgarh road, about 70 km fromhere, today, police said.
The ill-fated vehicle was onits way to Rajgarh from Manavwhen it fell into the gorge.
Villagers rushed to the spotand informed the police. Sevenpeople were killed and 12 wereseriously injured in the accident,
Mother lendsshoulder to martyr son’s bier
CHANDIGARH, May 13: As the country celebrated
Mother’s Day, an aged womanin Gurdaspur walked in searingheat today as she lent a shoulderto the bier of her son, CRPFjawan Mandeep Kumar, whowas killed in an encounter inJammu and Kashmir’sPulwama district.
Tears rolled down KuntiDevi’s face as she walked.
Kumar was the only child ofDevi and her husband NanakChand.
INSIDE WEATHERAssured Career Progression ...Page 6* Supreme Court pulls up ASIHuman trafficking a crime against humanity: Justice Hanjura ...Page 3Tarakote Marg opened forVaishnodevi pilgrims ....Page 3Create tangible assetswith optimal use of resources: Zulfkar to officers ....Page 5Dr Nirmal must apologizeto Army for contemptuousremarks: Harsh ....Page 5Rayudu maiden IPL tonhelps CSK beat SRH ...Page 10
JAMMU: Generally cloudy
TEMPERATUREMax: 37.4 Degree C Min: 22.0 Degree C
RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 44.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 32.0 per centSunset on Monday: 07.21 p.m.Sunrise on Tuesday: 05.35 a.m.
SRINAGAR:Generally cloudy
TEMPERATUREMax: 21.2 Degree C Min: 11.4 Degree C
RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 76.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 61.0 per cent
LEH: TEMPERATURE
Max: 25.7 Degree C Min: 10.3 Degree C
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A matador operator violates traffic signal at Gandhi Nagar. —Excelsior/Rakesh
*Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com
Waseem AhmadSRINAGAR, May 13:
More than three years havepassed since floods washedaway a foot bridge atGangbugh area on the out-skirts of Srinagar but authori-ties are yet to rebuild it.
The bridge over Srinagarflood spill channel was washedaway in the devastating floodsof 2014 leading to problems ofcommuting for locals. Thelocals, however, alleged that theuse of substandard material inthe construction led to the col-lapse of bridge that was built bythe Department of Irrigationaland Flood Control in 2013.
The locals said they hadmade repeated requests to theauthorities for its restoration but
to no avail. "We have been run-ning from pillar to post for therestoration of the vital bridge butour pleas are unheard," BashirAhmad, a local said
Ghulam Mohiddin Dar, alocal resident, said that despitespending huge amount on the
bridge, it could not stand duringthe floods.
Dar said after the bridgewas washed away, the resi-dents of the area contributedmoney and made a makeshiftroad so that they will be ableto cross the flood channel.
"The makeshift road oftenremains submerged duringrains or when the water levelin the flood channel rises. Itbecomes difficult for the vehi-cles to cross the uneven,muddy road and several vehi-cles have broken while plyingon it," he said.
Another local GhulamMohiddin Wani, alleged that theauthorities also used themakeshift road for de-silting theflood channel and sold the mate-rial worth crores of rupees butturned blind eye towards thedamaged bridge.
Siraj-u-din, ExecutiveEngineer I&FC department,Narbal Division, said that theyhad forwarded the estimate offunds required for the
Over 3 years on, Gangbugh foot bridge awaits reconstruction
Train services remainsuspended in ValleySRINAGAR, May 13:
Train service remainedsuspended for the 4th daytoday in the Kashmir valleyfollowing damage caused torailway track on Srinagar-Banihal route by demonstra-tors on May 9 afternoon.
Train services remained sus-pended as repair work was stillgoing on, a railway official saidthis morning. He said train serv-ices from Baramulla in NorthKashmir to Banihal in Jammuregion via Srinagar will remainsuspended till the repair work iscompleted.
Train service was resumedonly on May 9 after remainingsuspended for security reasonssince last Sunday after anencounter ensued in Shopian inwhich five Hizbul Mujahideen
(HM) militants were killed.Later during the subsequentdemonstrators six civilians diedin security force action.
"We had resumed the trainservice on May 9 but had to sus-pend it again in the afternoon inSouth Kashmir after somedemonstrators damaged track atPanzgam. However, train serv-ice continued in North Kashmiron May 9", the official said.
He said repair work wasgoing on to install three hundredtrack-circuit operating clip(TCOC) which were missing atPanzgam in South Kashmir afterdemonstrations. Therefore, hesaid, no train will chug onSrinagar-Budgam andBaramulla in North Kashmir.
Similarly, all trains willremained suspended on
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A view of damaged foot bridge in Gangbugh area on the out-skirts of Srinagar. —Excelsior/Shakeel
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Local politician created plots, sold to some families
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*Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com
‘Terrorism threatens peace in J&K’
Role of troopscan’t be reduced
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NEW DELHI, May 13:
Dust storms and thunder-storms accompanied by gustywinds wreaked havoc in WestBengal, Uttar Pradesh, AndhraPradesh and the national capi-tal, killing at least 34 people andleaving behind a trail ofdestruction.
West Bengal bore the brunt ofa thunderstorm that left at least 12people including four childrendead, while 11 were killed in UttarPradesh and nine in AndhraPradesh, and two in Delhi, offi-cials said.
At several places in NorthIndia including Delhi, high-veloc-ity winds uprooted trees andaffected road, rail and air services.
Today’s devastation comesover 10 days after storms hit UP,Rajasthan, Telangana,
Uttarakhand and Punjab, killing134 people and injuring over 400.UP was the worst affected,accounting for 80 deaths, most ofthem in Agra district in the west-
ern part of the State. Subsequently on May 9, sev-
eral parts of Uttar Pradesh werestruck by a severe storm that left
Thunderstorms wreak havoc in 4 States, kill 34
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A view of dust storm over Noida in Uttar Pradesh on Sundaynight.
