My doors are open to everyone: Indian interlocutor
New Delhi, Oct 24 : The newly appointed interlocutor for Jammu and Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma Tuesday said that his doors for dialogue are open to everyone.
Government of India has appointed former Intelligence Bureau director Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor for a sustained dialogue process with all stakeholders in Kashmir Valley.
Sharma told news agency CNS that he is arriving in Kashmir Valley next week and hopefully will get a positive response from the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “I will be in Kashmir next week. I am hopeful. I will meet everyone and even Hurriyat leaders. My doors are open to everyone,” he said.
Responding to a question, Sharma said that he will interact with everyone. “Let us hope for the best. I am hopeful I will deliver,” he said.
Hizb Chief son arrested by NIA in funding case
Srinagar, Oct 24 : India’s National Investigating Agency has arrested Shahid Yousuf, the son of
Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin in alleged funding case.
The arrest of Shahid Yusuf, who works with the J&K agriculture department as village agriculture extension assistant and has a family home in Soibugh village, Budgam, comes barely a day after the Centre appointed a representative+ to initiate dialogue in J&K.
Reports said that he had been summoned by NIA in funding case and on Tuesdayhe was formally arrested by the agency.
He had appeared for an initial round of questioning by NIA a few days ago.
Hizb condemns arrest of Shahid Yousuf by NIA
Srinagar, Oct 24 : Militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen has vehemently condemned the arrest of Shahid Yousuf, the son of outfit Chief Syed Salahuddin by India’s National Investigating Agency.
Hizb spokesperson Salim Hashmi told news agency CNS that these tactics are being adopted to break the resolve of Freedom Movement leaders. “We want to make it clear that these tactics will not have any impact on the mindset of leaders associated with Kashmir Freedom Struggle. Shahid Yousuf is innocent and has been implicated in a case that has no essence and base,” he said.
He said India is fighting a losing war in Kashmir and has been using NIA to harass and oppress the freedom movement leaders. “These tactics on part of India depict only frustration. The Freedom Struggle will continue till it is taken to its logical conclusion,” Salim Hashmi said.
From braid chopping to beard chopping
Miscreants cut shopkeepers beard
Srinagar, Oct 24 : At a time when braid chopping incidents have created a fear psychosis among female folk, the beard of a Srinagar shopkeeper was chopped off by miscreants on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at Batamaloo area of Srinagar city and the victim has been identified as Farooq Ahmed Bhat son of Abdul Majid, a resident of Kashi Mohalla Batamaloo.
The victim told news agency CNS that he had opened up his shop at 6:30 in the morning. “After opening up my shop a customer who was a Kashmiri appeared there with a purpose to buy cigarettes. As I reached out for cigarettes, he caught hold my neck from backside and displayed a knife. His two associates, who were not looking Kashmiris and were talking in Hindi started abusing the assailant as he was continuously trying to spray mouth mouth and nose. I tried to hold my breath for quite some time but as soon as I inhaled the chemical, I felt unconscious,” Bhat said.
Bhat according to his father was taken to SMHS Hospital where doctors admitted that the victim has been administered some chemicals. “The miscreants looted money from his shop as well,” Abdul Majid said.
“Primafacie it seems that criminals attacked the shopkeeper with an intention to loot. We are investigating the case,” said a police official.
KVIC, Pampore to distribute 80 bee-boxes to promote bee keeping-employment
Srinagar, Oct 24 : Eyeing towards the promotion of bee keeping in the State of Jammu & Kashmir, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) plans to distribute 80 new bee-boxes among the trainees at PMTC, KVIC, Pampore on 25th October 2017. .
KVIC in a statement informed that the commission will be giving out bee-boxes to the beneficiaries of different regions of Kashmir Region who have been imparted training recently at PMTC, KVIC, Pampore .
The initiative by KVIC expects to generate around hundreds jobs. Also as a part of the initiative the commission has already given over hundreds of bee-boxes among tribal families in the village of Arawali district of Gujarat.
Shri Anil Kumar Sharma, Assistant Director, Incharge Kashmir Region informed that professional beekeeping by trained people is expected to supplement the annual income of the people involved in the business by Rs.50,000.
Also the program is to prove instrumental towards protecting the flora and fauna of the regions.
He further said that various countries collects honey from over one crore bee boxes while India has only 12 lakh bee boxes.
The main target of KVIC is to distribute bee-boxes with the aim to reach an overall target of one crore boxes over the next few years, he added.
He also informed that the bee-boxes will be distributed by Hon’ble Chairperson (NZ), KVIC, Dr. Hina Bhat.
JRL calls for shutdown on Oct 27
Srinagar, Oct 24 : While terming the 27 October as black day and the day of mourning for the Kashmiris, Joint resistance leaders comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik called for complete shutdown onFriday October 27, 2017.
JRL said, “71 years back India without any constitutional and moral justifications forcibly occupied the state of Jammu & Kashmir on the same day and since then Indian forces are mercilessly killing innocent and unarmed Kashmiris, vandalizing their properties and are involved in sexual assault on women.
JRL said, “27 October 1947 is an unfortunate day for the Kashmiris when we were deprived of our freedom and liberty and India against the wishes of the people landed its troops here.
“The people of the Jammu & Kashmir were neither asked for their viewpoint about this forced occupation and nor are their wishes and aspirations being respected even today, “said JRL.
While terming the accession of Maharaja Hari Singh with India as controversial, unreliable and undemocratic, the pro-freedom leaders said, that experts on historical events raise several important queries about its authenticity and over its occurrence and moreover late Maharaja had no such mandate from the people of the state.
Who had given this authority to an individual that a person will decide the future destiny of people of state on his own and that too at an occasion when people stood against him and rebelled against his autocratic rule, asked JRL and added he had no authority to sign accession as he while fleeing from Srinagar stayed at Jammu.”
“The Indian National Congress had at that time adopted a policy about these princely states that the decision regarding to the future of these states will not be taken by the Maharajas or kings but it is the sole right of the people of the states and they will be asked for their political aspirations.
Although the ruling elite and kings in Hyderabad and Junagarh wanted to merge their states with Pakistan but India forcibility landed its army, claiming that it is against the principles of partition and the wishes of the people but the same rulers of India with regards to J&K adopted the policies contrary to this and occupied state against the wishes and aspirations of its people,” JRL said.
The JRL said that since then the occupational forces are unleashing atrocities and cruelties upon Kashmiri nation to supress the peaceful voices and till now more than six lakh people had been killed by these brute forces, ten thousand innocent people killed in custody and equal number subjected to forced custodial disappearance.
Seven thousand unknown people are buried in unmarked graves and their identity is not being divulged, said JRL in their statement.
7500 women were molested or sexually assaulted, said JRL and rape has been used as a war weapon against women in Kashmir.
They said that inhuman laws like Disturbed Arear Act, AFSPA and Public Safety Act are in force and added that police and forces enjoy free hand to perpetrate atrocities.
Pro-freedom leaders are being denied their political space, said JRL and added that they are detained and restrictions imposed on them.
JRL said that as people are observing 27th October as black day and it will convey a message to global community that they are resisting and resenting the forced occupation and will continue till the last solider leaves the state and added that it also illustrates their wish that they will not accept anything less than freedom.
Union Minister inaugurates Olive Work shop at ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture Srinagar
Srinagar, Oct 24 : Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Tuesday kick started two days workshop on ‘Olive Research and Development in India’ at ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture Srinagar.
The workshop was organized by Oilseeds Division, Department of Agriculture and Corporation & Farmers Welfare and ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture Srinagar.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers welfare was the Chief Guest and other dignitaries who participated in the inaugural session were Sunil Kumar Sharma, Minister of State for Transport, Revenue, Public Works, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Agriculture Production, J & K, Dalgit Singh Chib, Vice Chairman, Kisan Advisory Board, J & K, Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST (K), Shalimar, Srinagar, Dr W. S. Dhillon, Assistant Director General, Horticulture Science, ICAR-New Delhi, Dr Rajbir Singh, Director ATARI, Ludhiana, Dr A. A. Sofi, Former Director ICAR-CITH, Srinagar, Dr Anupam BARIK, Additional Commissioner (OS), DAC&FEW, New Delhi, officials from SKUAST (K), Srinagar, IARI, New Delhi, State Horticulture Department J& K, State Agriculture Department J & K, participants and farmers from different states like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir etc.
Dr Desh Beer Singh, Director, CITH, Srinagar welcomed all the dignitaries and participants and gave detailed information on research and development done by the institute on olive and also imposes the possibilities of olive cultivation in other parts of the country. Dr W. S. Dhillon, ADG, Horticulture, ICAR, New Delhi in his remarks gave detailed information on the horticulture production and potential in the country. He emphasis upon the need to production of quality planting material in olive for large scale production and popularization.
Gejendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble MoS for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in his address gave the projections of agriculture production and productivity of the country to meet the demand of the nation. He pointed out the role of research and development for combating the challenges faced the farmers in past like Bengal famine etc. He praised the performance of agriculture, fisheries, horticulture and other sectors for record production during current year but still there is a scope for further improvement to meet the ultimate demand of the nation. He pointed out that India is importing about 68% of cooking oil and thus there is the challenge for farmers and scientists to decrease the import of cooking oil and make the availability of the cooking oil sufficient to feed the nation. In his address he said that olive oil consumption has increased five times from last ten years and there is large probability for enhancing its acceptability due to high value index. Thus it becomes challenge for scientists to produce the quality planting material and work on different research aspects of olive for making it a success story for lost of the states in the nation. India has a vast potential for olive cultivation which need to be tapered by the joint efforts of scientists and farmers. At the ned he praised the efforts made by the scientists of ICAR-CITH, Srinagar for the olive cultivation under Kashmir conditions a success story.
Talking to interlocutor a ‘futile exercise’, says Al-Umar Mujhadeen
Srinagar, Oct 24 : Militant outfit Al-Umar Mujhadeen has termed the appointment of interlocutor by Government of India as a ‘futile exercise’ and has said that any interaction with New Delhi interlocutor will be wastage of time.
Al-Umar Mujhadeen Chief, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar told news agency CNS that from past 70 years India has been befooling people of Kashmir in the name of dialogue. He said history is testimony to this fact that India was never sincere in resolving the Kashmir issue amicably.
“I want to ask those who are hailing New Delhi’s decision that what happened to those reports submitted by interlocutors from time to time with regard to Kashmir issue. The Indian move is aimed at to buy time,” Zargar said and added that armed struggle against India is the only option to free Kashmir from New Delhi’s yoke
Army organizes medical camp
Srinagar, Oct 24 : The Army organised a medical camp at village Reshwari in Naugam on 23 Oct 2017 where in a joint team of doctors from Army and civil hospital participated in providing medical assistance to the villagers. A total of 192 people including women and children benefited from this camp. They were provided with free medicines in addition to consultation and health education on personal hygiene, nutrition and child care.
The Army has been regularly organizing medical camps in these remote villages and the general populace in these areas is greatly benefited by such camps. The continuous and relentless efforts of the Army have been greatly appreciated and lauded by the public.
Governor chairs SKUAST-J Council Meeting
Srinagar, Oct 24 :Governor N.N. Vohra, Chancellor of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu (SKUAST-J), chaired the 17th Council meeting of the University at the Raj Bhavan, in whichSh. Syed Basharat Ahmad Bukhari, Minister for Horticulture, and Sh. Abdul Ghani Kohli, Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries participated. The University Council decided to abolish interviews for recruitment of all class IV and equivalent positions in the SKUAST-J.
The Council complimented, Vice-Chancellor and his colleagues for securing ICAR’s 15th Rank among 73 Central Universities/ICAR Institutes/Deemed Universities, 10th rank among 64 State Agricultural Universities and 31st rank for publications assigned by the Confederation of Indian Industries and Indian Citation Index (CII-ICI) Report 2016 .
Chancellor released a publication brought out by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras of SKUAST-J, “ Bringing prosperity to the famers of Jammu region” and a three year (2018-2020) “Pashupalak Calendar” published by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Kathua with month wise guidance regarding improved livestock management.
In the context of the VC’s presentation about the Research Papers presented by faculty and students, Chancellor advised that there must be a mechanism for recognising teachers and scientists who are doing outstanding work in their fields. He called upon the Ministers and Planning Secretary to ensure close co-ordination between all the concerned government departments and the Universities so that the outcome of all research becomes a valuable input for formulation of government policies and programmes.
Chancellor advised both the VCs to ensure maximum hands-on participation of students in farm-level activities and their involvement in cleanliness drives and adoption of villages under the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan. He advised the VCs to provide the students increased opportunities for spending more time in the farmers fields.
Chancellor emphasized that the Integrated Farming System which gives good returns to the farmers should be introduced in at least 2-3 villages in every Panchayat. VCs were asked to spread the use of specialized farm practices introduced in the model villages to all other areas in the hinterland.
Chancellor urged Sh. Abdul Ghani Kohli, Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries, to take up the issue of extension of the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) Act to J&K with the Chief Minister so that the Cabinet approves the required action; this will enable/qualify the pass outs from the State to be allowed to practice outside the State.
University Council discussed the agenda items which included adoption of the UGC Notifications with respect to exemption of NET essentiality for the candidates registered for Ph.D prior to 11.07.2011; direct recruitment of Assistant Professors & equivalents andcounting of period of active service spent on pursuing Ph.D for the direct recruitment of Associate Professor& above/equivalent; adoption of SRO-202 of 2015 regarding application of J&K Special Recruitment Rules, 2015 for both the Farm universities; enhancement of stipend paid during the apprenticeship period for Account Assistants/Cashiers as prescribed by the State Government for both the Farm universities ; adoption of Jammu and Kashmir Information Technology Service Recruitment Rules notified vide SRO-343 & 344 of 2016 dated 24th October, 2016, in favour of IT personnel of both Farm universities; adoption of upper age limit of 48 years in respect of ex-Servicemen for direct recruitment for the post Security Guards in the University; and adoption of two tier Career Advancement Scheme for Non-teaching employees of the University as pert SRO-311 of 1997.
Earlier, Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, presented a detailed report on the achievements of the University in the past six months; introduction of Central Examination System; Thesis and Comprehensive Viva to be carried out under CCTV; using software to check plagiarism in scientific publications; giving awards/rewards/recognition for the best University workers; Green Graduation Programme; introduction online recruitment process in all non-teaching administrative positions; besides initiating research programmes in Hydroponics; Value addition in underutilized crops, and introduction of e-tendering process etc. The activities of the Placement Cell were also highlighted.
VC further informed that presently the University has 133 externally funded adhoc research project valuing Rs. 44.34 crores and 42 new adhoc Research projects worth Rs. 9.67 crores were secured since April 2017. Patents have been filed for four technologies developed by the University.
Among those who attended the meeting were Prof. (Col.) A.K. Gehlot, Vice Chancellor, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Bikaner (Member);Sh. Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Sh. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary Finance; Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir; Sh. Showket Ahmad Beigh, Secretary Agriculture; and Sh. Daleep Kachroo, Registrar, SKUAST-Jammu.
FROM : (CNS)