CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

SUNDAY 03 August | 2014 | 06 Shawal, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 212 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)Pen For Justice Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&Khttp://www.zabarwantimes.com

WEATHER

TEMPERATUREMAXIMUM MINIMUMSUNSET ON(SUNDAY)SUNRISE ON (MONDAY) 05:42 AM

07:36 PM 18.3 0C 31.00C

FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS:

FORECAST OF SRINAGAR:

Light Rain would occur at a few places over the state.

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>>>>> PG 10 >>>>> PG 10 >>>>> PG 10

The rice production in Jammu and Kashmir is decreasing day by day because the agricultural land is be-ing used legally or illegally for oth-er purposes such as residential and commercial. This has created lots of problems and the extra burden on the economy has also increased and is leaving adverse effects on the overall financial health of the state. Similar-ly the illegal felling of trees and the timber smuggling has caused enor-mous damages to the ecology of the state as it has turned a lot of forest land into a barren and unproductive one. Though a force called forest pro-tection force was created many years back for safeguarding the forest wealth but this organization has not

Dwindling forest cover

I-Day arrangements reviewed at Budgam, Bla, Shopian Mir inaugurates Tumberhama Cricket Premium League Tournament

Feroz thanks for declaringKargil –Zanskar road as NH

Possibility of thunderstorm inthe afternoon. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 30°C & 23°C respectively.

CMYK

Srinagar, Aug 2 : Four persons were injured in a road accident in Kup-wara while two persons got drowned in Kargil. A Bolero vehicle bearing registration number JK10A/1202 rolled down into River Suru at Sangra Bridge, in the jurisdiction of Police Post Sanku, Kargil. In this accident two persons who were boarding the vehicle got drowned. Among the two persons one was rescued while an-other one is still missing. Police has registered a case in this regard and efforts are on to find another one.Meanwhile, a Xylo vehicle bearing registration number JK09/8110 skid-ded off the road at Bomhama, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kup-wara, resulting in injuries to 04 pas-sengers. All the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital Kupwara for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. (KNS)

04 injured, 01 missing in road

accidents

Srinagar, Aug 2 : Two residential hous-es were damaged in two separate fire incidents, last evening. Fire broke out in the residential house of Sana-ul-lah Mir son of Sultan Mir resident of Chankipora, Sopore, in the jurisdic-tion of Police Station Sopore. In this incident the house was partially dam-aged. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders and police. In another fire incident, fire broke out in the res-idential house of Kabir Salay of Salay Mohallah Dal lake, Srinagar, resulting in complete damage to the house. Fire was brought under control with the help of fire tenders, Police and locals of the area. (KNS)

02 residential houses damaged in fire

Man injured by bear in Baramulla

Body found in Tangmarg

Srinagar, Aug 2 : A complete shut-down was observed across Kashmir valley against the Kausarnag Yatra on Saturday issued by earlier by Hur-riyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani.Reports informed KNS that all shops, business establishments, govern-ment offices remained closed with the roads of the summer capital wearing deserted look as the public transport is off the roads.Reports maintained that the state au-thorities deployed police and paramil-itary forces at vital places to foil any protest demonstrations. However, some private vehicles were seen ply-ing on the roads at Srinagar outskirts. The strike call was issued by Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, to protest the government move to start an annual pilgrimage in Kausar Nag area of Kulgam district.Reports of clashes between protesters and police came from various areas in valley with the youth at several plac-es assembled in groups to protest. The deployment of forces tried to thwart the demonstrations.In Narbal, youth assembled on the Srinagar-Gulmarg highway and pelted stones on forces. Reports in-formed that later the movement of ve-hicles on the highway was suspended for some time. In old city, barricades and concertina wires were placed at various vital points of the area to foil

any disruption in law and order.Restrictions were imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal area of the city to prevent any major protests. Re-ports also informed that the protest-ers hurled stones on the police de-ployment during the dusk hours but the situation later was brought under control and the pedestrian movement resumed in the area.Various senior separatist leaders were either detained or placed under house arrest to prevent them from leading any protest demonstrations. Mohammad Yasin Malik was taken into preventive custody on Thursday while other leaders, including Mir-waiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Geelani and Shabir Shah have been placed un-der house arrest.Meanwhile Police told KNS that the situation in the Kashmir valley re-mained overall peaceful on Saturday. It maintained further that except some untoward incidents, there was in general no disruption in law and order situation.Pertinently, locals at Kausar Nag ear-lier had expressed strong resentment over the demand of the Yatra at the tourist place, stating that the move is a deep conspiracy to grab the serene landscapes of Kashmir valley.Talking to KNS, the locals hailing from the area stated that they will approach the court of law and will

submit the petition against any plan of giving this tourist place a religious color. They stated further that the stream flowing since centuries is not any religious place and that no histor-ical account proves that Yatra must be executed at the stream.Substantiating their claims, locals stated that Kausar is a ‘Quranic’ word and no where the religious texts of Hindus or Muslims prove that the tourist spot has any

See Kashmir On PG 11..

Kashmir shuts over Kausarnag controversy

Restrictions, stone pelting in old city

Srinagar, Aug 2 : Expressing seri-ous concern over the way Kausar Nag tourist destination has been politicized by some opportunist el-ements, the Awami Mutahida Ma-haz (AMM) has said that eyeing on upcoming assembly elections some elements want to promote their pet-ty politics at the cost of peace and prosperity of the State.In a statement issued to KNS, the AMM leaders have observed that Kounsar Nag is a pristine source of water and a tourist place which needs not to be exploited for any sec-tarian political gains.

See AMM On PG 11..

Promote Kausar Nag as tourist destination,

don’t politicize it: AMM

Businessman was robbed off Rs 6 Lacs

Srinagar, Aug 2 (KNS): Kothibagh police has arrested three cops in-cluding a head constable in a case of extortion wherein a business-man was robbed off Rs 6 Lacs at Tourist Reception Centre. Sources told KNS that that a busi-nessman Tassaduq Hussain Dar son of Safdar Ali Dar a resident of Mahore Budgam was carrying a bag of money (Rs 6 Lacs) in an auto from a Bank near TRC when three cops head constable Jalal-u-Din, constable Showkat Ahmad and Constable Imtiyaz Ahmad posted in police station Nigeen disembarked a police gypsy and asked Dar to handover the bag to them. Dar was whisked away in the gyp-sy by these cops who demanded that the bag carrying money be handed over to them. Initially Dar had resisted the police pressure but later succumbed to it after

facing strong intimidation. Sourc-es told KNS that he handed over the bag to three cops who dropped him at some far off place.Source said that Dar immediately rushed to Rambagh police station to get his complaint registered but the police at Rambagh refused to register his complaint citing ju-risdictional problem. The victim businessman later approached Kothi Bagh police station with an application mentioning some cell-phone numbers. Sources in-formed KNS that in a swift action on the application the Kothi Bagh police traced the mobile numbers which pointed to the three cops of Nigeen police station.The Kothi Bagh police constitut-ed a team of police personnel that raided the Nigeen police station arresting the three cops who are presently lodged in Kothi Bagh police station. The Kothi Bagh po-lice has prepared a report and has sought further directions from the SSP Srinagar. A top police of-ficer confirmed the news saying that police is trying

See Police On PG 11..

Under CSR programme the bank will expand its role in

a big way: ChairmanSrinagar, Aug 2 : J&K Bank today held 76th Annual Gener-al Meeting (AGM) of its share holders here, which approved the dividend payment of 500 percent to bank's share own-ers. The meeting witnessed an unprecedented attendance of shareholders of the bank from different walks of life.According to a statement is-sued to KNS, addressing the jam-packed audience at SKICC, Chairman and CEO Mushtaq Ahmad appreciated the share holders for their emotion-al bonding and unflinching support saying, "The achieve-ments of the bank would not have been possible without your continued patronage and unwavering support which has always been a source of strength and inspiration for us.”Attributing the bank’s growth momentum to its business model, he said, “Amidst these strenuous economic conditions prevailing for most part of last financial year, J&K Bank lev-eraged intrinsic strength and vivacity of its business model to deliver an excellent perfor-mance. Our performance has

been outstanding as compared to our peers in the system.”“The bank,” he said, “has reg-istered an all round progress in all the areas whether it is management of stressed assets, provisioning levels, return on assets , return on equity etc. I would specifically men-tion that the Dividend Yield of 2.65% and Dividend Payout ratio of 20.50% are amongst the

best in the industry.”“During 2013-14, we continued with the rapid expansion of our multi-delivery channels and added a total of 92 business units to increase our business unit network to 777 at the end of March 2014. Similarly, we added 187 new ATMs to

See JK On PG 11..

J&K Bank holds 76th AGM, approves 500

pc dividend

Five youths including two brothers tor-tured by Army

Lolab, August 1, CNS: The physical torture in-flicted by Indian Army on five locals of Lolab Valley including two brothers sparked protest at Hard-en Lolab area of frontier district Kupwara. The victims alleged that the Army officer offered them cash to keep their mouth shut. Locals of Harden Lo-lab told CNS that Army personnel from 18 RR stationed at Kuligam and Warnav camp have let loose a reign of terror in the Lolab Valley. They said that Army person-nel harasses, detains and

even tortures the people on one or the other pre-text. Locals added that on the pretext of harbouring militants, an Army team called five youth includ-ing two brothers all resi-dents of Harden Lolab to their Kuligam camp and interrogated them mer-cilessly. “The atrocious means adopted by Army to torture us left most of us unconscious. I can’t walk and I am still feeling dizziness,” one of the vic-tims wishing anonymity told CNS. They said that Army accused us of harbouring militants. “We have no connection with militan-cy and neither we known when militants arrived in our area,” they said add-ing that Army released them all after their condi-tion deteriorated. The victims alleged that Commanding Officer

See Locals On PG 11..

Handwara, August 1: Dis-trict Hospital Handwara is in shambles while patients are suffering immensely as the Bio-chemistry Analyzer and the main computer to-mography machine (CT scan) machines are not functional from past nine months. The laboratory opera-tors in the hospital are allegedly forcing the pa-tients to get the Biochem-istry Analyzer and CT scan tests performed in the private labs while the attendants alleged that the owners of private labs and laboratory operators of Handwara hospital are hand in glove earning commissions and profits. Hospital sources told CNS that Biochemistry Analyzer machine (BAM)

developed some techni-cal problem some nine months ago and since then it is non-functional. “Nothing is being done to make the machine func-tional as a result patients are facing hardships while private lab owners in league with the opera-tors are looting poor pa-tients,” a Para-medical staffer told CNS. Attendants and patients said that though there is a CT scan machine avail-able in the hospital but from last 9 months hos-pital authorities neither bother to install that ma-chine nor it deputes any technician to get the tests performed. “I paid Rs 4,500 to per-form CT scan at a private clinic in Srinagar.

See BAM On PG 11..

Police detains 3 cops in a case of extortion

Locals accuse Army of harassment

>>>> Official apathy >>>>BAM and CT scan

machines non-functional in DH Handwara

Unknown person decamped with his service rifle: DIG North

Srinagar, Aug 2 : Sus-pected militants Satur-day in North Kashmir attacked a police person-al, decamping with his service rifle.Talking to KNS, DIG North Ghulam Hassan Bhat stated that un-known person carried out an attack on the po-lice personal on Satur-day with the Axe and got away with his service rifle. “We can say that some unknown person carried out this attack. Whether that was a mili-tant attack or not, cannot be ascertained yet,” Bhat said.Reports informed that Firdous Ahmad Baba, a constable with the Indi-an Reserve Police, who was posted at the main market of Pattan town was attacked by a group of militants with an See DIG North On PG 11..

Israel continues striking Gaza as it searches for missing soldier

Gaza City: Israel bombarded the south-ern Gaza town of Rafah on Saturday as troops searched for an officer they believe was captured by Hamas in an ambush that shattered a humanitarian cease-fire and set the stage for a major escalation of the 26-day-old war.The Israeli military has said it believes the soldier was grabbed in a Hamas ambush about an hour after an interna-

tionally brokered cease-fire took effect Friday morning. The Hamas military wing on Saturday tried to distance it-self from the soldier's alleged capture, which has prompted widespread in-ternational condemnation. President Barack Obama, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon and others have accused Hamas of vio-lating the cease-fire and have

See Israel On PG 11..

Egypt Still Ready to Host Israel-Palestinian Talks

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi has told journalists that the Egyptian peace proposal to end the conflict in Gaza was "still on the ta-ble" and that Egypt would like see a rapid conclusion to the violence.Egypt extended its diplomatic ef-forts Saturday, despite the ongoing violence in Gaza. An Israeli dele-gation, which had been expected in Cairo, cancelled its visit, amid the fighting. The arrival of a joint Palestinian delegation, announced last week, has also yet to material-ize.At a joint news conference in Cai-ro, visiting Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Egyptian Presi-dent Abdel Fattah al-Sissi voiced support for a quick conclusion to the hostilities between Israel and the Hamas militant group.Sissi insisted that there is “no al-ternative” to the Egyptian peace proposal and that its acceptance at the start of the conflict would have “avoided much bloodshed and loss of life”:He says that Egypt's peace plan is still on the table and capable of solving the conflict and that efforts have been exerted from the outset with all the parties. He stresses

that the proposal was made before Israel began its ground operation - and before the loss of many lives.The Egyptian president also dis-cussed the deteriorating security situation in neighboring Libya and called on the international commu-nity to act to help restore order:He says that as violence intensi-fies, the international community and Europe, especially, have mor-al, humanitarian and security re-sponsibilities to act. He added that there should be an international strategy to confront the spread of terrorism in the region.He went on to argue that Egypt's security situation has improved markedly since last year, but that the country remained “at war” as terrorist attacks continue, albeit at a lower level. Sissi noted that Egypt is facing a growing threat from its border with Libya, due to the “absence of security forces on the Libyan side.”

Libyan crisisMeanwhile, inside Libya, the coun-try's newly elected parliament met for discussions in the eastern city of Tobruk Saturday, postponing its formal inaugural

See Egypt On PG 11..

Policeman attacked with axe in North

Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 2: A man was injured and two goats were killed by a bear in Baramulla.A bear attacked and injured Mohammad Yousuf Bara son of Lala Bara resident of Bagna Salam-abad, in the jurisdiction of Police Sata-tion Bijhama at Hydernar Bagna. The injured was shifted to District Hospital Baramulla for treatment. In the same village two goats of Ahmad Din Bat-ti son of Bula Batti resident of Bagna were killed by the same bear. (KNS)

Srinagar, Aug2 : A body was found floating in Drung Nalla Tangmarg and was retrieved by police. The body was later on identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Reshi, son of Ghulam Rasool resident of Treran Tangmarg. He was missing since 29-07-2014. The said person was reportedly mentally challenged.

11 Srinagar, Sunday 03 August 2014 Zabarwan Times

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

KashmirPolice

Locals

BAM

IsraelEgypt

DIG North

AMM

JK

Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Bashir Malik Editor: Shahana Malik Legal Advisor: Syed Riyaz Hussain RNI NO. JKBII/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Publised at Govt. Quarters , M-13 Magarmal Bagh Srinagar-190001 J&K, Printed at:- Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No. 09999964750, 9796 787844

Government ofJammu & Kashmir

Office of the Executive Engineer P.H.E. Mechanical Division (North) Sopore

CORREGENDUM-III to this office e-tender No. PHE/MDNS/NIT/E-02/02 of 2014-15, dated: 02-07-2014 issued under No. PHE/MDNS/1279-88, dated: 02-07-2014Design, providing, installation and commissioning including operation and mainte-nance for 05 year of online compact durable efficient Iron Removal Plant of capacity (as given in Annexure "B" of Tender Document) to remove iron from drinking wa-ter to acceptable limit as prescribed in BIS (IS 10500/2012), including transportation etc. complete. Iron Removal Plant is to be installed at newly proposed Water Supply Schemes Braripora Maidanpora of P.H.E. Mechanical Sub-Division Handwara, dis-trict Kupwara.Due to representation made by local contractors/suppliers the dates are rescheduled here as under:

S. No. Particulars Dates

1. Last date for online submission of bids 04-08-2014 (04:00 pm)

2. Last date for submission of hard copy of 1. Cost of tender Document (Demand Draft), 2. Earnest Money and pre-qualification bid in cover 1st

05-08-2014 (03:00 pm)

3- Date of online opening of tender 09-08-2014 (03:00 pm)

Other terms and conditions shall remain unchanged.DIPK:4514 Sd/-Executive Engineer

Government of Jammu & Kashmir

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEERTOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY KOKERNAG

SHORT TERM TENDER NOTICEGist of Nit serial No: EE/KDA/03 Dated>28-07-2014.

For and on behalf of the Kokernag Development Authority Kokernag, sealed tenders affixed with Rs.5/-(Rupees Five ) revenue stamps are invited from Registered PWD/CPWD/MES Contractors for the below mentioned work.

S.No Name of work A p p r o x . Cost in lacs

Earnest money

Cost of T e n d e r Document

Class of Contract

Time of comp.

1 Construction of 07 seated toilet block including path and side drain at Achabal

13.50 lacs 27000 800/- BEE/CEE/ DEE

45 Days

2 Construction of path and edge wall at Achabal near garden.

3.50 lacs 7000 400/- DEE 20 Days

3 Construction of Gate & Marble flooring at Jamia Masjid Achabal.

5.00 lacs 10000 500/- DEE 30 Days

Position of Funds: - Demanded Works :- Under State PlanThe tenders on prescribed tender documents should reach the Office of Executive >Engineer, KDA Kokernag on or before 09-08-2014 up-to 2 p.m and will be opened by the Executive Engineer KDA in his Office in presence of the tenderers who wish to be present. In case the last date for receipt of the tenders hap-pens to be a holiday, the tenders shall be received on next working day.The tender documents containing bill of quantity/rate list and other details will be issuedby this office with effect from W.E.F. 05-08-2014 To 08-08-2014 during office hours/working days on cash payment (Non Refundable) only after the producfl card and TIN number & PAN number.NB:939 Sd/-Executive Engineer

Government ofJammu & Kashmir Directorate General, Youth Services

and Sports Wazir Bagh Srinaqar.Subject:- Tentative Seniority list of Physical Education Teachers of Youth Services & Sports Department as stood on 01-07-2014.

NOTIFICATIONThe Tentative Seniority list of Physical Education Teachers separately for Jammu and Kashmir Division have been formulated on 01-07-2014 as per the records avail-able with this office.The copy of the Seniority list of Physical Education Teachers has been made avail-able in the office of Joint Director Youth Services & Sports, Kashmir and Deputy Director, Youth Services & Sports, Jammu and all the District Youth Services & Sports Officers vide this office Circular No. DG-YSS/Estt/2533-59, Dated. 24-07-2014, so that they may examine their office records and convey if any corrections are required.All the Physical Education Teachers are also allowed to check/verify their service particulars shown in the Tentative Seniority list and file objections, if any, sup-ported with documentary proof to deposit in concerned District Offices, so -as-to reach this headquarter within ten days in consolidated form through the Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports Kashmir or Deputy Director, Youth Services & Sports Jammu after stipulated time no representation shall be entertained and fi-nal Seniority list will be issued accordingly.No.DG-YSS/Estt/2584-85Dated:24.07.2014DIPK:4511 Sd/-Deputy Director (Central) For Director General

Govt. Degree College Pulwama

Email: gdcpulwama@gmail.com Ph. 01933-242391 / 01933-241250

Recruitment DriveUnder UDAAN initiative, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., a leading service provider in India is conducting a Recruitment Drive in this college on 7th of August 2014. Graduates, Post Graduates, Technical Graduates, Computer and Business Professionals who are inter-ested to serve in corporate sector outside J&K State shall report at Carrier Counseling Cell of the college at 10:30 AM. For further enquiry contact 9858376715 / 01933-241250.DIPK:4506 Sd/-Principal Govt. Degree College Pulwama

religious reverence.Reports informed KNS further that locals of the area constituted a forum naming it Save Kausar Nag front and around 30 members from the area were elected with the responsibility to safeguard this tourist place and not to allow any group to disturb the ecological balance there. They stated further that since some members of the Hindu community have sought ap-proval to carry forward a Yatra to this place on July 31, they will not oppose the government order but at the same time no such action shall be allowed in fu-ture. Terming it a conspiracy against the tourism of Kashmir valley, the locals stated that there are thou-sands of river streams in valley and when people will be given free hand to disturb the environs, the situa-tion ahead would be dreadful.They stated further that they will, in the near future, initiate a public awareness program about the issue and also will submit a petition against the action in the high court here. Pertinently, an amalgam of var-ious Hindu parties has decided to arrange a rally on July 30 that will start its march from Gagran and will reach Kausar Nag.On Friday, the state government made it clear that Kausar Nag pilgrimage is not a traditional Yatra like Shri Amarnath Yatra but the same is being managed by its local management. Talking to KNS, Sajad Ah-mad Kichloo, minister of state for home had said: “I don’t know people are making it controversial when the Kausar Nag is not a place for traditional Yatra like Amarnath Yatra.”The minister of state for home informed that a few hundred people visit the Kausar Nag annually to of-fer prayers from Reasi and no pilgrims visit the place from Valley via Kulgam district. “Some 150 to 200 peo-ple visit this place annually for the last four to five years and the government has nothing to do with its management but these special prayers are being orga-nized by the local management of this place,” Kichloo added.Asked why the separatists have given a call for shut-down against this Yatra, Kichloo said that he fails to understand why such a non issue has been turned into a controversy. The minister of state also informed that principal secretary home affairs will further clar-ify the government stand on the issue before the press in the evening. (KNS)

“Unfortunately some political elements eyeing on up-coming elections in the state and without bothering for the consequences have raked this issue to fulfill their nefarious designs,” the AMM leaders opined.They said that some political elements want to dis-turb the peace and amity among different sections of the society by creating wedge through such issues. “Throwing a tourist place into politico-religious con-troversy is strongly condemnable and people must also rise to the occasion to foil the obnoxious designs of some political elements whose political hearth runs on such issues,” they added.The AMM leaders hoped and appealed people to main-tain communal harmony and not to get carried out by the propaganda unleashed by the vested interests over the issue. “Kashmir has a history of communal harmony and pluralistic ethos and we hope that they will foil the designs of these elements who want to divide our society,” the AMM leaders hoped. (KNS)

take our total ATM network to 800 as on 31st March 2014”, he added.Laying special emphasis on the bank’s vision of inclu-sive growth and comprehensive development, he said, “As a developmental institution, J&K Bank remains central to the prosperity of J&K State and lays high emphasis on inclusive growth involving the weakest sections of the society.”“Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) remains one of our core values. Under CSR pro-gramme the bank will increase its role in a big way”, he added.After the address, Company Secretary Abdul Majid Bhat read out the auditors' report and business agen-da of the meeting.Notably, due to some recent regulatory changes made in the procedural norms, approval from the share holders for resolutions was sought through e-voting. The process of e-voting through ballot was complet-ed on 29th July, 2014, in which more than 75 lac votes were cast.Later, Chairman & CEO Mushtaq Ahmad declared the voting results wherein the resolutions were ap-proved by the shareholders. All the resolutions were approved by more than 95 percent of the votes.Meanwhile, the bank’s board strength reached elev-en after the appointment of Dalip Kumar Kaul and Khaver Alam Jeelani as two new independent direc-tors for the board as per the resolutions approved with overwhelming majority.Dalip Kumar Kaul is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He is B.Com (Hons) and LLB from the University of Delhi. He is also Master’s in Business Administration (Finance), having specialization in Merchant Banking, Risk Management, treasury, International Finance. He has 31 years experience in advising corporate and non corporate clients. Presently he is Member of Execu-tive Committee of J&K Branch of NIRC of ICAI and was its chairman for the year 2013-14. He is also Peer Reviewer on the panel of Reviewers maintained by the Peer Review Board of the ICAI. He was a special invitee Member-committee on banking, insurance & pension of ICAI.Khaver Alam Jeelani was associated with Morgan Stanely Investment Management (London) from the year 2002 to 2007. He has represented Morgan Stanely at the European Fund Categorisation Forum (EFCF). He is holding degree of B. A. Hons in Industrial Eco-nomics from the University of Nottingham (Business School) and M. Sc. In Economics and Finance from the University of Warwick (Warwick Business School). He is also an Associate of Securities Institute (UK).Meanwhile, the shareholders unanimously approved the re-appointment of R K Gupta as director after his due retirement at the same meeting. Vikrant Kuthiala was also inducted in the board as independent direc-tor.Towards the conclusion of AGM, a lively Q&A session was held. All the questions raised in the session were promptly responded to by the Chairman to the satis-faction of the shareholders.

Meanwhile, the shareholders appreciated the bank’s performance and came up with certain suggestions and concerns which were duly taken note of by the competent authorities. (KNS)

its best to recover the money first and an FIR against these three cops will be registered soon after. (KNS)

35 RR forcibly handed over Rs 1000 (one thousand) note each in their pockets with the direction that they will not reveal anything what happened to them in the Army camp. Locals identified the victims as Muhammad Ash-iq Mala, Mushtaq Ahmed Mala sons of Abdul Rashid Mala, Shah Wali Mughal son of Mir Wali Mughal, Javid Ahmed Sheikh son of Sheeren Sheikh and Na-zir Ahmed Mala son of Habibullah Mala all residents of Harden Lolab. DySP Sogam Aftab Ahmed told CNS that these peo-ple work as potters for the Army and they did not complain to police about the incident. When contacted Srinagar based Defense spokesper-son said that he would look into the matter. (CNS)

The facility here could have saved me at least Rs 4, 000,” said Ajaz Ahmad Bhat from Lelam village of Handwara Tehsil.The local residents said that they made several rep-resentations to Medical Superintendent District Hos-pital Handwara to make the machines functional for public use but nothing has been done so far. Chief Medical Officer Kupwara, Dr Munir Ahmed told CNS that BAM and CT scan machine would be made functional very soon. (CNS)

called for the soldier's immediate and unconditional release.A Palestinian inspects a destroyed house in the heav-ily bombed Gaza. APA Palestinian inspects a de-stroyed house in the heavily bombed Gaza. APAt least 35 Palestinians were killed in the bombard-ment and shelling in and around the city of Rafah ear-ly Saturday, said Palestinian health official Ashraf al-Kidra, adding that the area's main hospital was evacuated because of the strikes, which killed dozens of people on Friday.Elsewhere in Gaza, Palestinian officials reported more than 150 airstrikes including several against mosques and one against the Hamas-linked Islamic University in Gaza City. Heavy shelling continued along the border areas.The Israeli military said it struck 200 targets over the previous 24 hours. It said it attacked five mosques that concealed weapons and that the Islamic Univer-sity was being used as a research and weapons manu-facturing site for Hamas.The fiercest battles took place near the site of Fri-day's attack and purported abduction, near Rafah, about three kilometers inside the strip and close to the borders with Israel and Egypt. Officials have re-ported that dozens of houses have been damaged or destroyed in airstrikes.The Hamas military wing said on its website that it is "not aware until this moment of a missing soldier or his whereabouts or the circumstances of his disap-pearance."The group said the soldier might have been killed in a clash with Hamas fighters about an hour before the start of the 8:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) cease-fire, and that it had lost contact with the fighters."We believe all members of this group have died in an (Israeli) strike, including the Zionist soldier the ene-my says disappeared," it said.The Israeli military declined comment on the state-ment.Hamas could be withholding information about the soldier in order to extract concessions from Israel, a strategy used in the past by the Lebanese Hezbollah group, which did not disclose whether two Israeli sol-diers it seized in 2006 were alive or dead until their remains were handed over in a prisoner exchange.The Israeli Cabinet met for an exceptionally long and rare Friday night session to discuss the missing soldier. There was no immediate announcement on a course of action, but an official in the prime minis-ter's office said Israel "expects the United States and the international community to respond strongly to a terror organization that so blatantly defies them."The official, who spoke anonymously because there was no official Israeli announcement, said "Hamas and other terror groups will bear the consequences of their actions."The disappearance of the soldier, 2nd Lt. Hadar Gol-din, and the heavy clashes that followed it, ended an internationally brokered cease-fire that was to have been in place for three days and open the way for talks in Cairo on a more sustainable truce. Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the hu-manitarian pause.Israel launched an aerial offensive on July 8 to stop unrelenting Gaza rocket fire toward its cities and communities and later expanded it to a ground offen-sive mostly aimed at destroying an elaborate Hamas cross-border tunnel network used for attacks inside Israel.Since fighting began, Gaza militants have fired more than 3,000 rockets into Israel, reaching most major

cities and forcing millions to seek cover. Hamas has also infiltrated Israel several times and killed Israe-li soldiers.In central Israel, residents awoke on the Jewish Sabbath to sirens wailing at 6 a.m. Saturday warning of incoming rockets. The military said they were successfully intercepted by the Iron Dome de-fense system.Since fighting began on July 8, more than 1,650 Palestinians — mostly civilians — have been killed and more than 8,000 wounded, according to al-Kidra. Israel has lost 63 soldiers and three ci-vilians, its highest death toll since the 2006 Lebanon war. Hundreds of other soldiers have been wounded.The prospect of an abducted soldier struck a partic-ularly raw nerve in Israel and looked to worsen the fighting.Israel has a history of striking back hard after the abduction of its soldiers and going to great lengths to bring them back. In 2011, it traded more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier who had been captured by Hamas and other militants five years earlier. Hezbollah's capture of the two sol-diers in a cross-border operation in 2006 sparked a 34-day war between the Iran-backed Shiite group and Israel. Israel later traded Lebanese prisoners for their bodies.The Israeli military accused Hamas of flagrantly violating Friday's cease-fire. Goldin disappeared in an ambush about an hour after the cease-fire began, when gunmen emerged from one or more Gaza tunnels and opened fire at Israeli sol-diers, with at least one of the militants detonating an explosives vest, said Israeli army spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner.Goldin, a 23-year-old from the central Israeli city of Kfar Saba, was apparently captured in the ensuing mayhem, while another two Israeli sol-diers were killed. "We suspect that he has been kid-napped," Lerner said.The military has provided no further details and it remains unclear if the officer is alive or dead.Outside the family's home, just a block away from the city's military cemetery, which has already seen one funeral of a Kfar Saba soldier from the fighting in Gaza, family and friends gathered and later went to an adjacent synagogue to pray for the soldier's safe return.Goldin, who was recently engaged to get married, also has a twin brother in the military on the Gaza front-lines.

session until Monday. The body's interim speaker, Abu Bakr al-Baiera urged Libyans to “unite” to confront the terrorist threat facing the country:He says that parliament should unite the nation and put an end to what divides Libyans. He goes on to say that the difficult security sit-uation had prevented some MPs from attend-ing Saturday's session, prompting delibera-tions to be postponed until Monday.In other developments, Libyan TV reported that rival militias re-sumed fighting in the capital, Tripoli, near a fuel depot, which had burned out of control for several days before firefighters finally were able to put it out. The TV report indicated that a mortar round had set part of the depot on fire yet again.

axe. The militants man-aged to flee with the po-liceman's INSAS rifle.Firdous was with hit with an axe in his head and neck and has received critical in-juries. He was later shifted to the hospital where his condition remained critical till the last reports came in. Later, forces cor-doned the area and launched a massive manhunt for the mili-tants. (KNS)

Hearts of Kashmiris Bleeding for Palestin-

ians: Sheikh NazirSrinagar, Aug 2 (KNS): National Conference has expressed sorrow and anguish over Israel’s continued aggression in Gaza and has termed it as a pre-planned genocide to potentially eliminate thousands of innocent men, women and chil-dren.According to a statement issued to KNS, senior Na-tional Conference Lead-er Sheikh Nazir Ahmed (Advocate) has said that Israel’s relentless cam-paign of terror against innocent Muslims in Palestine was not only a blot on the conscience of Israel but also an indict-ment of the Internation-al Community for being silent spectators to this bloodshed. Sheikh Nazir said that Is-rael’s stated position on its assumed sovereignty

in Palestine lacked legal-ity and the expansion of Israel’s territory over the decades was a clear sign of Israel’s colonial and aggressive designs un-der the diplomatic pa-tronage of not only the United States but also the European States who have maintained a criminal silence over this genocide. “Israel’s existence is a deriva-tive of oppression, il-legal occupation and institutionalized van-dalism and plunder. In the recent past Israel even went to the ex-tent of uprooting hun-dreds and thousands of Olive Trees of the occupied lands to eco-nomically persecute the innocent Muslims of Palestine. The wall of neo-apartheid con-structed to cage Palestin-ians and suffocate them has become a hallmark symbol of what Israel has come to stand for”, Sheikh Nazir said.

Israel’s assault in Gaza pre-planned

genocide: NC

Daily ZABARWAN TIMES NEWS SRINAGAR | SUNDAY 03. 08 .2014

TANGMARG, AUGUST 02: Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir today inau-gurated Tumberhama Cricket Premium League Tournament at Ahad Memorial Mini Stadium, Tumberhama in Tangmarg tehsil today.

As many as 64 cricket teams of the tehsil are participating in the tournament. The inaugural match was played between Tangmarg Night Riders and Friends Eleven Tangmarg. The T-20 tournament will be played on knock-out basis as per the ICC rules.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underscored the need for building managerial capac-ity among the people belonging to sports field, saying that it would go a long way in organizing and managing the events in a better way. He said that sports develop discipline, sportsmanship and

sense of quick decision, besides ensure a strong mind and body which is pre-requisite for creating a healthy and harmonious society, adding that only a health genera-tion can face the impending chal-lenges of today globalized era.

Mr. Mir said that with the gov-ernment endeavours, the sports culture in the State is gaining momentum day by day which is playing imperative role in chang-ing the mind of the youth towards constructive measures.

The Minister said that the state has ample sports potential for which the government has taken various initiates to exploit it. He said the sports are viable medium for over all development of the youth and added that the govern-ment is very keen to promote sports activities in the state.

Underscoring the need for upgrading sports infrastructure in

the state, Mr. Mir said that several initiates have already been taken by the government in this regard. He said that several measures are afoot to upgrade the facilities for sports lovers in addition to their academic pursuits.

Mr. Mir said that Ahad Memo-rial Mini Stadium, Tumberhama will be developed on modern lines in phased manner so that the sports potential of the youth of the area is exploited and chis-elled in right perspective. He said the Police department is on job of leveling the stadium, add-ing that the work on expansion, further development, fencing, Landscaping, besides creating required infrastructure will be started soon.

On this occasion, large num-ber of sports lovers, Panchs, Sar-panchs, prominent citizens and students were present.

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 02: In connection with the celebra-tion of Independence Day-2014 in Budgam district. Additional District Development Commis-sioner, Budgam Mr. Aijaz Ah-mad Bhat chaired a meeting of all concerned District Officers. The arrangements of the forth com-ing Independence Day were dis-cussed threadbare in the meeting.

The meeting decided to organize main function in Sports Stadium Budgam where the chief guest will unfurl the tricolor and take salute of the march past con-tingents of JKP, JKAP, IRP, For-est Protection Force, CRPF and school children of various educa-tional institutions.

The meeting disclosed that the departments of Education, In-formation and Youth Services & Sports will jointly arrange cultur-al programmes of different nature

on the occasion. The Additional District

Development Commissioner stressed upon all the officers to put in the place the arrangements well in time for the smooth cel-ebration of Independence Day, besides District Officers, Super-intending Engineer PHE, Chief Planning Officer and Chief Medi-cal Officer was also present in the meeting.Meanwhile, the District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone today convened and pre-sided a meeting of officers of vari-ous departments to review the ar-rangements of I-Day 2014.

It was told that the main function will be started at 7.30 a.m at District Headquarter Baram-ulla with the Shania Wadan. The chief guest will unfurl the Nation-al flag and take salute of the march past presented by the contingents

of JKP, JKAP, IRP, CRPF, Fire & Emergency Services, NCC and school children of various educa-tional institutions of the district.On this occasion, different cul-tural programmes will also be presented by the Artists of Infor-mation, Cultural Academy and Education departments.

The District Development Commissioner stressed upon the officers to keep coordination for successfully function and di-rected the concerned authorities to cleanliness, transportation, drinking water and uninterrupt-ed power supply on the occasion.

Among others, Additional District Development Commis-sioner, Senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla, Chief Educa-tion Officer, Joint Director Plan-ning and Officers of various secu-rity agencies were present on the occasion.

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 02: Minister for Higher Educa-tion Mr. Mohammad Akbar Lone inaugurated a 10-Day workshop on Mathematics Training and Talent Search (MTTS) programme organized by Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Mathematical Sciences (JKIMS) at its Amar Singh College campus, Srinagar today.

The MTTS programme is one of the most acknowl-edged and significant summer training programmes for under graduate students in India. Since its incep-tion from 1993, it has made a considerable impact on mathematical sciences in the country. The programme is funded by National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM), Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.

In his inaugural speech, the Minster hailed the role of such programmes for the development of mathemati-cal sciences and assured full support of government for the development of the host institute.

As many as 43 students from various colleges across the State, besides research scholars and college teachers are participating during the workshop as Programme observers. The resource persons for the programme are from various reputed national institutions working un-der the leadership of G. Santanam from IIT Kanpur.

In his welcome address, the Director of the institute Prof. Wali Mohammad Shah highlighted the signifi-cance of workshop, adding that the five year integrated course and the research work shall be started in the in-stitute in near future.

Mir inaugurates Tumberhama Cricket Premium League Tournament

I-Day arrangements reviewed at Budgam, Bla, Shopian

Lone inaugurates 10-day workshop on MTTS

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 02: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative As-sembly Mr. Mubarak Gul today inaugurated Em-ployment fair at Madre-Meherban Stadium, Pal-pora, Eidgah, Srinagar. The fair was organized by District Employment & Counseling Centre Sri-nagar.

The officers of line departments and bank participated in the fair and provided vital in-formation about various employment generating schemes to the educated unemployment youth. The educated unemploy-ment youth showed great enthusiasm towards the various schemes launched by the Govern-ment from time to time.

The Speaker

emphasized on the un-employment youth to come forward and avail the benefits of schemes which are launched meant for their better-ment. He also directed the Director Employment to register the names of unemployed youth on-the- spot and call them individually for coun-selling so that the youth feel easy to take up the schemes of their choice under his able guidance.

Mr. Gul asked the unemployment youth for not hankering after the Government jobs, saying that it is difficult for government to pro-vide Government job to every educated youth. He asked them for establish-ing own entrepreneurs and become job provid-

ers instead of job seekers, adding that it would go a long way in ameliorating their socio-economic pro-file and make adequate contribution in the devel-opment of entire state.

Referring to provision of medicare facilities in the area, the speaker sad that Maternity & Child-care Hospital (MCH, Noorabagh is the first and the best Maternity & Childcare Hospital in the Shehar-e- Khas, besides Primary health Centre at Sangam and palpora medical dispensary is also functional in the area.

The Deputy Director employment, Srinagar also highlighted various schemes meant for the educated unemployment youth.

Stresses for Transparency &

Outcomes in SSAPULWAMA, AUGUST 02: District

Development Commissioner, Pul-wama, Mr. Sajad Ahmad Khan today reviewed the implementation of Cen-trally Sponsored flagship programmes Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhi-yan (RMSA) component wise at a meet-ing held at the district Administrative Complex Pulwama

The physical, financial targets and achievements of 2013-14 and proposed targets of 2014-15 were discussed in de-tail.Giving details Chief Education Of-ficer revealed that under SSA against cumulative target of construction of 328 Primary School buildings, 317 have been completed upto ending March

2014 while work on 11 Primary School buildings is under progress. Under the same scheme against the cumulative target of 73 Middle School buildings, 72 have been completed and work on one is under progress.

Chief Education Officer further revealed that under centrally spon-sored flagship programme of RMSA against cumulative target of construc-tion of 22 school buildings for upgraded secondary schools, 6 buildings have been completed while as work on 16 is under progress.Mr. Khan, who is also the Chairperson of the SSA informed that the Zonal Education Officers henceforth will pay personal attention to the development and maintenance of libraries in all schools, to the work-ing of the gender coordinators with a view to increasing enrollment of girl children, proper utilization of funds for Teaching and Learning Equipment and Material and Teacher Grant.

Gul inaugurates Employment fair DDC reviews Education Sector in Pulwama

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 02: Minister of State for Science & Technology, Mr. Feroz Ahmad Khan has thanked the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari for declaring Kargil-Zanskar road as a National Highway and handing over it to the State Public Works (R&B) Department.

The Minister said that the decision has resolved the long pending demand of the people of far flung areas of Kargil and Zanskar. He said that this is the only sur-face link which connects world famous mountainous district Kargil with the rest of the country.

Ex-gratia relief cheque handed over to deceased family

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 02: Former MLA Haji Mo-hammad Sayeed Akhoon today visited the residence of late Abid Hussain who lost his life in an accident on Boulevard road near Grand Palace and handed over a cheque amounting to Rs. 1 lakh as ex-gratia relief to fam-ily members of the deceased. The ex-gratia relief was sanctioned by the Chief Minister yesterday.

Expressing sympathies with the bereaved family on behalf of Chief Minister, Haji Mohammad prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. Abid Hussain has left old parents, three sisters and younger brother.

Feroz thanks for declaring Kargil –Zanskar road as NH

Bill Clinton to visit school kitchen tomorrowBill Clinton to visit Jaipur’s ‘Akshaya Patra’ kitchen todayFormer US presi-dent Bill Clinton arrives in Jaipur-Bill Clinton visits school kitchen, serves food to studentsConvent boy asked to sit in primary school to impress Bill Clinton in...

LOS ANGELES: Bill Clinton admitted in 2001 that he had passed up the chance to kill Osama Bin Laden because he was concerned about potential civilian casualties, according to a newly-unearthed audio tape recorded just hours be-fore the 9/11 attacks on the US. In the recording, the former US presi-dent addresses a group of business leaders at a paid engagement in ×Australia, on September 10, 2001.

“Osama bin Laden (is) a very smart guy,” Clinton says. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about him, and I nearly got him once ... I could have killed him, but I would have had to destroy a little town called Kandahar in Afghanistan and kill 300 innocent women and children. And then I would have been no better than him. And so I didn’t do it.”

The tape was released to Sky

×News ×Australia this week by ×Michael Kroger, the former state president of the Liberal Party in Victoria, who said he had not deliberately kept its existence a secret, but had simply forgotten about it until now.

Kroger added that the record-ing was made with Clinton’s per-mission, when the former presi-dent spoke to an audience of about 30 people at the Melbourne offices

of the investment bank JT Camp-bell. Clinton was reportedly paid $150,000 (£89,000) for the appear-ance.

Although Clinton has rarely spoken about the subject in public, it has long been known that the US had several opportunities to tar-get the al-Qaida leader before the September 11 attacks. Clinton’s account matches a 2004 report by NBC ×News, which suggested the

CIA had bin Laden in its sights in late 2000, shortly before Clinton left the White House.

At the time, bin Laden was thought to be living at a compound in Kandahar, which is not the “little town” Clinton described but a city of some 400,000 people. CIA drones had recorded video foot-age from the compound of a tall man in white robes surrounded by guards, who resembled the elu-sive terrorist.The twin towers of the World Trade Center after they were hit by two hijacked airliners in the terrorist attack on Septem-ber 11, 2001 in New York City

But in her 2008 book The Dark Side, the journalist Jane Mayer wrote that Clinton was “haunted” by the sight of a child’s swing in the compound, which “suggested innocent children lived there”.

Some later criticized Clinton’s decision not to strike, including George W Bush’s counterterror-ism chief, retired General Wayne Downing, who told NBC in 2004: “We were not prepared to take the military action necessary ... We should have had strike forces prepared to go in and react to this intelligence.”The Pentagon after

it was hit by a hijacked plane in Washington.

In 2012 the CBS ×news pro-gramme 60 Minutes reported that this was one of many chances that the Clinton administration had to assassinate bin Laden, but that the evidence was never considered strong enough, nor did the presi-dent wish to risk civilian deaths.

An anonymous Clinton ad-ministration official later told The Washington Post that before 9/11 “the objective was to render this guy to law enforcement”. Follow-ing the al-Qaida bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tan-zania in August 1998, Clinton or-dered a Tomahawk cruise missile strike on bin Laden’s suspected training camps in Afghanistan.

At the same time, however, the US fired several missiles at what it believed was an al-Qaida chemical weapons factory. It turned out to be a pharmaceuticals plant.

Bin Laden evaded capture for almost 10 years following the 9/11 attacks, and was finally killed at his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan on 2 May 2011, in a raid ordered by President Barack Obama.

‘I had chance to kill Osama bin Laden,’ Bill Clinton said hours before 9/11

Consider making some plans for a vacation or short getaway, Libra. Looking forward to something fun can make even the tough-est of days far easier to handle. You’ll be amazed how much you can manage when there’s an end in plain sight. Your entire attitude can lighten. So take the bull by the horns and create an incentive for yourself. Do something special to reward the hard work you do day after day.

Don’t judge someone if he or she has a different lifestyle than what you consider to be OK, Scorpio. You probably lean toward the traditional, yet not everyone feels this way about re-lationships, working, or lifestyle. While it may seem impossible to understand and even frighten you, try not to be too harsh on those you deem odd. You’d be better off using that energy to keep your own life on track.

Friends seeking advice or a shoulder to cry on could be plentiful today, Sagittarius. You’re one of best people to give them the support and care they need. Just be sure that you don’t give so much to others that you don’t have anything left for yourself. True friendship is about sharing and the exchange of problems and help. Running yourself down will leave you in a place where you aren’t going to be much help to anyone.

Getting through today shouldn’t pose too big a problem for you, Capricorn. You may feel a huge second wind that can give you the drive and determination to see your chores and projects through. Make some plans for this evening, such as getting to-gether with friends or taking in an event that really intrigues you. Until then, go about your tasks bit by bit. You’ll get things finished before you know it.

Working within boundaries and restrictions could really get to you today, Aquarius. Yours is an independent spirit and your best achievements are often born of doing things your own way. Yet like it or not, we all have to follow guidelines and rules. Do your best to follow suit and finish what needs to be done. Afterward, you may find more freedom to act independently without consequences. Exercise patience and diligence as needed today.

Chances are that you’ll feel upbeat and positive today, Pisces. Consider sharing this energy with those around you who are feel-ing less than content. Your attitude can have a profound effect on friends, partners, spouses, and children. Even neighbors and ex-tended family can pick up on your spirit without you even real-izing it. Share your optimism with everyone you can today. If you see someone hurt or angry.

Feeling the effects of today’s energies, Virgo? Take heart if this is the case, because the end of the tunnel isn’t as far away as it seems. Do your best to take things one step at a time and see about making some plans for a little fun this evening. Get together with friends or take in a movie. Help yourself feel better by staying busy and focused and follow up with some recreation. Before you know it, the aspect will pass and you’ll be back to normal.

Don’t discount your ability to be extremely resourceful if you need to be, Aries. If you don’t have everything you need or all of the required information, take time to think. Who can you ask? What places can you access? Who might know where you can find what you need? Rather than panic because the pieces aren’t all there, instead make a list of contacts and go for it. Trust in yourself.

Try not to let today’s blues get you down, Taurus. While it’s true that some days can seem to drag on, the busier you are the faster time will pass. Get down to finishing any work still before you and then make plans for tonight. If there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, not only will things seem to speed up but you’ll feel better knowing it’s coming.

Dare to be different, Gemini. It can be so easy to fall into a drill. Sleeping at the same time, eating at the same time, wearing the same style, and going about work the same way day after day. Be-fore you know it, you feel like you’re in a rut. The only way to get away from this is to make a decision to break free by doing some-thing unique. Try a new haircut. Wear colors that are unusual for you. If the need is there, consider a new career. Pursue expansion.

If your lifestyle is considerably different than that of others, re-sist feeling self-conscience about it today, Cancer. Try to remember that you chose the life you have for specific reasons. Even if you’ve come to a point where you’re considering a change, there’s no need to feel badly, ashamed, or embarrassed about where you are now. Everyone has to make his or her own way. If this conforms to the norm, that’s fine. If it doesn’t, that’s fine, too.

An enhanced feeling of determination could motivate you today, Leo. Finish the things that aren’t complete and make some plans for this evening. Don’t hesitate to take on something that feels compli-cated or big. Chances are you’ll be able to handle most anything and it will feel great when it’s finished. Enjoy your day by making the most of opportunity.

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesSrinagar, Sunday 03 August 2014

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Dwindling forest cover

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”

Quote of the day

Marcus Tullius Cicero

The rice production in Jammu and Kashmir is decreasing day by day because the agri-cultural land is being

used legally or illegally for oth-er purposes such as residential and commercial. This has creat-ed lots of problems and the extra burden on the economy has also increased and is leaving adverse effects on the overall financial health of the state. Similarly the illegal felling of trees and the timber smuggling has caused enormous damages to the ecol-ogy of the state as it has turned a lot of forest land into a barren and unproductive one. Though a force called forest protection force was created many years back for safeguarding the forest wealth but this organization has not been able to control the ille-gal felling of precious trees and the smuggling of timber within and outside the state. Not only this, some forest land is being utilized by tribal community for residential and agricultural pur-poses as envisaged under Forest Dwellers Act. This has not been defined to this purpose only but some land is being taken over by expansionists and used for com-mercial purposes. Nobody cares as to what is happening to our forests which are being devas-tated with every passing year. Some unscrupulous and greedy people are setting portions of forest on fire so that the green trees which ultimately get burnt or half burnt are used in differ-ent ways without being caught for illegal usage of the precious wood. There are no checks or hurdles for these vested inter-ests as some forest employees are in hand in glove with smug-glers and those elements who for their petty interests damage this natural wealth. The forest department except issuing some statements is not doing enough to get these smugglers caught and take action as per the law of the land. Unless there are strin-gent laws and well meaning and sincere forest officials in abun-dance, the forest wealth will be disappearing with every passing day and the time will not be far away when Jammu and Kash-mir State will become a cold des-ert. The ecological balance will get destroyed to such a level that nothing will grow in our lands and it will be impossible for human life to survive in such a hostile atmosphere and weather conditions.