Bhaderwah- Bhasoli road still farfetched dream

GREF not very serious about its completion
SHEIKH NASIR
Bhaderwah: Thirty five years on, Bhaderwah -Bhasoli road is still a far fetched dream as the executing agency GREF seems not be very serious about completing this vital link, deemed as very important for promoting tourism in the virgin valley of Bhaderwah, popularly known as Chotta Kashmir.
Surprisingly, while on the one hand the government is making concerted efforts for bringing the Bhaderwah area on the country’s tourist map, it is paying little attention towards the road which could prove a path breaker in taping the huge tourism potential of the area.
The distance to Bani from Bhaderwah through this under construction road is 79, while it is only 165 kilometer upto Bhasoli.
The road is also being projected as an alternate link to the Valley, starting from Lakhanpur- Bhasoli- Bani – Bhaderwah – Kishtwar to South Kashmir Islamabad district.
The road circuit proposed to connect three districts of Kathua , Doda and Kishtwar of Jammu region would not only reduce the distance to the valley for the tourists entering the state, but also give exposure to the places of tourist attraction along the route, including Sarthal in Kathua and Chatragal, Guldandi , basti, Thanthera, Basti , Nalthi and along onward journey from Bahderwah to Kishtwar and places along Kishtwar to the Valley.
But unrelenting delay in the completion of the road is causing huge loss to the people of these areas by denying them the dividends of lucrative tourism industry.
Interestingly, the fate of this road is hanging in balance from the day then chief minister, Bakhshi Ghulam Ahmed laid its foundation in the year 1974.
Recently, Ghulam Nabi Azad, during his stint as Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, evinced great interest by allocating adequate funds for its early completion. For his extra attention towards the road, Azad also evoked resentment from the people of other areas.
However, off late, due to unknown reasons, the road has totally lost the attention of authorities at the helm of affairs.
The GREF which is presently executing the construction work on the road seems not be much serious about the completion of the project.
When contacted, the GREF authorities said that presently it is working on a small portion of the road as there were some hitches in taking up the work on massive level. They said that the road would be completed in all respects only in next one and a half year.

Change or perish

Before Globalisation and Liberalisation, no nation, economy, people or culture could think beyond national frontiers. However after Liberalisation borders disintegrated, nations became interdependent, economies opened up, people got closer, and cultures experienced integration. As travel got easier, competition ruled the world.
We the people of this sub-continent are commonly referred to as Third World countries as we have not been able to reach the level of developed countries. The state of Jammu & Kashmir is widely known throughout globe due to its natural beauty. Compared to the rest of the states in India the economic performance has however put it at the bottom of the pyramid. After all economics matters most. Surprisingly the state is abundant with large and wide range of resource availability, but it has failed completely to avail of its benefits. The tourism sector which is regarded as the boon of its economy is wide open craving for its exploitation and it has been found that only a small proportion has been exploited till now, the rest remains unused. This explains the whole story of incompetence and corruption about our state This state of affairs of our state can be attributed to reluctance and stubbornness to change. Change is important to be brought about. Though management of change is a cumbersome process or it is resisted by many, but change in positive direction is always welcome. In every sector of our state innovation and creativity have to be pumped in. That will fetch better results. We have an ailing health care, underdeveloped tourism and hospitality sector, obsolete education system. So it needs a massive overhaul. The state can fare better, if it switches over to deregulation, enhanced accountability. Encourage entrepreneurship and allow private participation - which is wanting. This can be achieved only, if we have necessary and required skills, domain knowledge, expertise and intellect. Thus we need more training institutions, courses in demand, (technical and non- technical), efficient and effective management and administration. The courses which are offered in our colleges and universities are classical and with not much scope in current era, albeit they are to be provided also but we need to bring newer professional courses also. Doing that will give us competitive advantage. Professional education is rare. The states needs to refresh all colleges and universities by providing latest courses in science such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, biochemistry, bioinformatics etc., fashion designing, media courses, business management, paramedical, engineering, computer applications et al widely at undergraduate and post graduate level. This can be done by allowing private participation in education. We have colleges where basic courses such as BSc, BA,& B.com are available in principle which forces the students to opt for other alternatives, such as going to other parts of the country. We have intelligent youth with potential and calibre to take up any job under any circumstances. All they need is guidance. We can create business by exploiting the states wide and large resources to enhance economies of scale, reduce the burgeoning unemployment, redress states difficulties and problems, uplift poor sections of the society and largely improve the life standards of the people by and large.
Thus the state administration needs to think out of the box. They have to part with those shoddy policies. That alone can lead us to a better future

Army organises debate competition

GHSS Girls wins best school trophy

Kishtwar: With an aim to encourage large scale participation of students & to inspire & build competitive spirit & communication skills among them a debate Competition was organized by a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Kishtwar under the aegis of Headquarters Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) for school children. Maj Sushil Aima, Kirti Chakra Memorial Debate Competition was organized at Higher Secondary School Boys Kishtwar under "Operation Sadbhavana" in coordination with Chief Education Officer, Kishtwar. The competition was conducted in three phases viz. preliminary round was conducted on 14th & 15th Jun 2010 with 30 students participating on each day, first final was held on 17 Jun 2010 in which 30 students participated & Grand Finale was held on 19 Jun 2010 in which the 10 selected students from the initial two rounds participated. A total of 60 students from various schools in & around Kishtwar participated in the competition. The students freely expressed their views, & were allowed to speak in English, Hindi or Urdu. On this occasion the Commander of Rashtriya Rifles Sector at Kishtwar was the Chief Guest for the finals while a large no. of dignitaries from the civil administration & police were present. Besides them a large no. of students, teachers of various schools from Kishtwar District along with parents were also present to witness the competition.
The Chief Guest gave away the prizes to the winners of Debate Competition. In addition to individual prizes given to the winner a best school trophy was also given to the Govt. Higher Secondary School Girls Kishtwar for having maximum number of finalists in the contest. Speaking on this occasion, Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of Army for conducting the Debate Competition & also lauded the efforts of the students in making this event a grand success. The Competition will contribute towards development of an all round personality of the children. All participating children were given certificates & suitably rewarded.

MEDICAL AIDS CENTRE OF TUN GANDHARI PADER LOCKED

Padder: The residents of Tun Gandhari of Padder tehsial have alleged that Medical Aid Centre of the village is closed for the last twoyears and none of the employee of the health department has visited the area during this period. "Since 2008 we have not seen the door of the aid center open, which exposes the boastful claims of well functioning of Medical Department in Block Padder", the residents have alleged. One of inhabitants of village Gandhari, Tilak Raj while talking with this correspondent alleged that for the last two years, the Medical aids Centre is locked & the employee who is posted here never bother to visit the place and is getting the salaries without performing any duty. He further added that the children of this far-flung area are also not fortunate enough to get Polio-drops regularly. This is absolutely a huge blinder on the part of public servants & such erring officilas should be dealt heavily & residents have appealed CMO Kishtwar to initiate an immediate enquiry as the employee of this locked Medical AIDS Centre is still receiving salary without doing any duty.

Good-will gesture

Army organizes cricket tournament at Patnazi Bonjwah

Kishtwar: Army organized a cricket tournament in Patnazi village of Bonjwah, once known as hub of militancy. Army has been actively involved in organizing various extra curricular events & campaigns to promote awareness amongst locals & especially the youth in the state. In one such occasion, 26 Rashtriya Rifles (KUMAON) under the aegis of Headquarters 9 Sector Rashtriya Rifles organized ‘Sadbhavana Akhtar Memorial Cricket Tournament at Devigol, Patnazi (Kishtwar) from 03 June 2010 to 09 June 2010. A total of 16 teams of Kishtwar region participated in the Cricket Tournament. A total of 19 matches were played. The finals were played between Friends Cricket Club, Patnazi & Mohammaden Cricket Club, Jarwar which was very keenly contested match. Team of Friends Cricket Club, Patnazi won the toss & elected to bat first. They made a total of 135 runs in 15 overs. In reply, Jarwar team was all out for 42 runs. The event was witnessed by approximately 500 locals who cheered up both the teams. Commanding Officer 26 Rashtriya Rifles (KUMAON) distributed the prizes & handed over the Trophy to Winners & Runners Up team on behalf of Commander 9 Sector Rashtriya Rifles. Master Sunil Kumar was declared the Man of the Match for his excellent performance in the finals. Devigol is a remote area of Kishtwar & till about a few years back dominated by the militants. By the concerted efforts of the Army, the area has got rid of militancy. On the request of locals, a Cricket Tournament was organized for the first time by the Army in the area. Such gestures by Army are aimed at motivating the youth to join progressive mainstream activities thus inculcating the spirit of bonhomie, sense of belonging & togetherness & slowly weaning them away from terrorism. Holding a Tournament of such a magnitude in a remote area in which 16 teams participated shows that era of peace & tranquility has ushered in the region. The local populace appreciated the Army’s humane approach & commitment towards engagement of youth in sports activities. Such events carry the message of peace, harmony & progress & motivate the youth to become an integral part of the society.

TRAFFIC TERROR

1300 dies on roads in 15 months
Traffic Deptt blames poor roads, irrational transport policy

Srinagar: Nearly 1300 people have died and about 10,000 injured in road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir in the past 15 months, belying the government claims of providing efficient transportation system.
According to official data, 1100 people lost their lives in about 5945 accidents in 2009. This is in addition to 8199 persons who sustained injures, critical and minor, in these accidents. From January to March 2010, 197 people have died and 1803 injured in 1357 accidents, putting the number of deaths due to accidents in the past 15 months at 1297.
The data indicates the failure of the Traffic Department, which is supposed to strictly enforce the traffic laws to lessen the number the accidents.
In 2008, 950 people lost their lives and 7597 sustained injures in 5326 traffic accidents in the state. In 2006, the state-wise statistics on road accidents shows that Jammu and Kashmir ranked 13th with 48.2 accidents per lakh population in India. Similarly, in 2005, traffic accidents claimed 884 lives besides injuring 8315 persons in 5664 accidents.
Interestingly, the Traffic Department has clearly acknowledged its failure to minimize road accidents. "There is no let up in the accidents in J&K. If the scenario of road accidents in India is grim, it is gory in J&K," writes the former Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Muhammad Amin Shah, in Trafficinfo 2010, the department’s annual publication.
However, the department claims it was not solely responsible for occurrence of accidents. "It is unfair to hold traffic police solely responsible for the cause of accidents. Other departments working in the traffic management structure too have a definite responsibility to share in avoidance of accidents and increased fatalities," Shah writes, blaming "poor road engineering, irrational transport policy, poor enforcement of laws and lack of mass education" for the mess. According to Shah, the huge deficiency of public transport in rural areas leads to overloading, which becomes a cause of accidents and increased fatalities. "Most of our roads are ill-designed. They lack good geometry. They are environment specific and not traffic oriented," he said. According to Trafficinfo, there has been "unprecedented increase" in fining the traffic violators. "The department has realized an amount of Rs 7,56,31,941 as fine from the violators in 2009," it mentions, urging the drivers not to drive fast, wear crash helmets, wear seat belts, avoid overtaking and driving without license. It has called for revision and rationalization of transport policy, compulsory sale of crash helmets, reviewing of driving license system and deployment of young vehicles to minimize accidents. Pertinently, the vehicular population in Jammu and Kashmir stood at whopping 6, 68,445 by March 2009. This is excluding thousands of vehicles of security forces and the inter-state vehicles, which are not registered in the state. Approximately 50,000 vehicles add up annually to the state motor fleet. In Srinagar city, the vehicular population has increased from 1,23,319 in March 2005 to 1,56, 991 in March 2009, indicating an increase of 27 percent. This population in Jammu city has witnessed an increase from 2,79, 652 vehicles in March 2005 to 3,73,127 vehicles in March 2009, showing an increase of 33 percent.

Sajad toured Iran as Coach

Sheikh Nasir
JAMMU: Sajad Hussain Malik Inspector in JK Police and hailing from Chenab Valley (District Ramban) was deputed as coach for Indian Volley Ball team for an international event held in Iran. The team left for Tehran (Iran) on 10th of May for participation in the 8th Asian Youth Boys Volleyball Championship for Boys. Inspector Sajad Hussain of J and K Police was deputed as Asstt Coach for the team. Sajad Hussain the Head Coach of the J and K Police Volleyball team is the first person from the J and K Police to accompany the National Team as Assistant Coach in Volleyball.
He was given this assignment by the Volleyball Federation of India.
Sajad qualified N.I.S (Patiala) Level-I and Level II Coaching Courses at FIVB Centre Chennai. The Indian team was in pool-B along with Chinese Taipai, Kazakasthan, Thailand and Japan. Indian team secured top position by defeating all the teams of its pool including last year runner-up Japan.
In quarter final Indian team defeated Sri Lanka to get birth in semifinal. Unfortunately Indian Team lost to Iran in Semi-Final and for the third place India lost to S. Korea and got fourth place.

Was Dalai Lama’s visit, purely non-political?

Prior to the visit of Tibetan spiritual leader to Padder in Kishtwar, the people were expecting few political announcements, especially regarding Kashmir issue, media persons from different parts of the country reached Padder to cover the moment and to witness any big news, but when the world famous leaders delivered his speech it was purely non-political. However when His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama said, "I believe myself to be India’s messenger to the world,’ the listeners got attentive, there was a pin drop silence and everyone started thinking whether there was any message being discreetly conveyed here. But there wasn’t anything remotely political in this statement also; it was all about peace and brotherhood. His another statement ‘India and Tibet have always had a Guru Shishya relationship. I’m thus a ‘chela’ of India,’ was also confusing for few. What the Dalai Lama was referring to was Tibet’s age old debt to India, the land where Buddhism originated, which also gave it the masters who set up the faith -masters from universities like Nalanda, who institutionalized Buddhism in Tibet in the seventh and eighth centuries.
While choosing to stay away from contemporary politics, there was definitely a message that he chose to convey, but who was being addressed is anybody’s guess.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too chose to steer clear of any direct reference to the turmoil in the state but it was clearly topmost on his mind when he said to the spiritual leader, "Hamare state ke liye dua karna."
However locals in Padder were expecting few announcements from chief Minister especially regarding sanctioning a degree College at Padder and ST status to all residents of Padder at par with Buddists of the area. But again Chief Minister was silent over these local issues and instead said, "Siyasi taqreer fir kabhi hogi". One wonders that living in the same area under similar conditions if people of one community have been given tribal status why the other are denied of it. Decisions have been made recently for Poonch Rajouri, but what compels the Chief Minister to ignore people of Padder. Government should come with satisfactory answers without making itself suspicious.

Padder, on Dalai Lama's visit (Reception)

Dalai Lama in Sapphire Valley; calls for unity and brotherhood

Omar welcomes spiritual leader
SHEIKH NASIR
Paddar (Kishtwar): Tibetan spiritual leader, in exile, has asked people of Jammu and Kashmir to continue with their rich multi-cultural heritage and maintain religious harmony and tranquility at all costs.
The Buddhists spiritual leader, who arrived on two-days to the Sapphire Valley of mountainous Kishtwar district visit amid tight security arrangements, was received by chief minister Omar Abdullah along with his three cabinet colleagues.
Addressing a public gathering, Dalai Dalai Lama appealed the world leaders to come forward and make the 21st Century violence-free.
Admiring the social fabric in India - where people following different faiths live together peacefully – he said that the peace is one of the highest virtues and this should lead to the unity of hearts among peoples of all faiths.
He appealed the people to continue with their rich multi-cultural heritage and maintain religious harmony and tranquility at all costs.
Later in his address, the chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the state of Jammu and Kashmir symbolizes the communal harmony, brotherhood and secular democratic temperament.
"The people of the State have lived in an atmosphere of amity since ages respecting each others faiths and cultural diversity", he said.
Welcoming Dalai Lama on his visit to Paddar, Abdullah called for preserving and conserving the State’s this rich ethos and heritage.
Described Dalai Lama the Shanti Doot, Mr. Omar said that peace and détente are the subjects of global significance in present day world scenario and every human being is equally important stake holder in global peace and tranquility.
"My father had promised to arrange visit of Dalai Lama to this place and today I am happy that I have fulfilled that promise", he said.
This was the first visit of the Dalai Lama to the Jammu region of the state, though he is a regular visitor to the Buddhist-dominated Ladakh region.

Friendship with three Abdullah generations
Paddar: The Budhist Spritual leader Dalai Lama on Saturday said that he was fortunate to have friendship with three generations of Abdullah family.
Dala Lama, who gave his speech in Tibetan language, used English to express his gratitude to the chief minister Omar Abdullah.
"I am fortunate that I have deep friendship with the three generations of your family", he said while pointing towards Omar. "Your grandfather (Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah) was a good friend of mine and I used to meet him", he said adding, "Your father Dr Farooq Abdullah is also a friend of mine and now you Omar Abdullah".

Kishtwar in dark ages

"Ulte baans barelli ko"
The shops get closed very early in the evening. There are no street lights to guide the late arrivals at bus stand kishtwar. There is no hustle and bustle in the markets after the dusk. The mobile owners move from place to place and pay heavy charges for getting their batteries charged in order to communicate with their nears and dears. The mechanics, machines, electricians, photographers, photocopiers all have become idle, courtesy "NHPC".
The much hyped developments of Kishtwar got busted like an air balloon when a tower of 132 KV line maintained by NHPC got collapsed due to heavy rains near Doda. The authorities of NHPC had no alternative or in place programme to foresee this eventuality and to provide solace to the thousands of households who are limping in the darkness for last more than two weeks continuously.
Mufti Mohammad Syaeed Former Chief Minister of state has very recently highly criticized the NHPC for making the people of state hostage as the corporation has exploited the water resources of this hilly district and there is no provision or programme with them even for local area development not to speak of providing them electricity free of cost which was otherwise the basic due of the public of Kishtwar.
NHPC has been generating 390 MW power from the Dul Hasti Power Station at Kishtwar and this entire quantum of electricity is transported to national grid out of state. The state of Jammu and Kashmir becomes the purchaser and responsibility of transporting back the same electricity to Kishtwar has again been entrusted to this Corporation who has shown very little interest in the past for mitigating the sufferings of people of Kishtwar. The glaring examples are neglect of Palmar Road by the said Corporation who never spent money on this road for the betterment of people and many accidents on this road took many precious lives for which the said corporation is wholly and solely responsible. They had an eye upon some other prestigious projects like Budsar, Pakal-Dool. Which saw rough weather due to involvement of high altitude national park and this agency neglected every thing till they could grasp the grapes.
This is a question of concern for every body where people fail to understand as to why this corporation has choosen a path of caring the power out of this mountainous district and then undertaken the responsibility to bring it back through their transmission lines upto kishtwar for public consumption. History is witness that this transmission line has seen many faults in the past and public has been held as hostage by the "Babus" of the corporation. On public demonstrations they have been unconcern and have not even thought of having some alternate plan. It is believed that by installation of converter equipments worth few lakhs they could provide electricity directly from the production of Dul Hastim project. May be the maintainance expenditure of 132 KV will be on higher side but the reason of putting people to trouble is the will of NHPC. People say that the old proverb of Ulte bans bareli ko (carying coal to new castle) is quite fit to the situation.

Bandh in Kishtwar, Chatroo & Thathri

Kishtwar: Mountainous towns of Kishtwar, Chatroo and Thathri observed a complete bandh in protest over "blasphemous" content on websites Facebook and YouTube which featured cartoons of Prophet Mohammed. All business establishments and markets remained closed and traffic off the road as the mountainous towns observed the complete bandh. The strike also affected the schools and government departments, officials said.
Over 500 people led by Moulvi Farooq Kichloo Imam masjid Jamia Kishtwar took out a protest rally in the Kishtwar town demanding a ban on the Facebook and Youtube websites for the "blasphemous" content featuring cartoons of Prophet Mohammed on them. In Thathri the demonstration was led by Movli Imtiyaz. Chatroo also observed bandh and the demonstration was led by Molvi Amin.
The popular social networking website Facebook and Youtube had featured some "blasphemous" cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.

Kishtwar continue to reel under darkness

No relief from govt

SHEIKH NASIR

Kishtwar: Normal life in Mountainous Kishtwar district is affected for the last two weeks in absence of power supply that was snapped after 132 KV line tower collapsed at Pul Doda due to heavy rains.
Ironically, the district, which has 390 Megawatt Dul Husti Power Project on its land is reeling under darkness for a week now with no relief coming from the government.
The entire district and parts of Doda was plunged into darkness following collapse of 132 KV tower due to heavy rains and storm on May 16.
Despite the assurances from the district administration and National Hydroelectric Power National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC), which maintains the transmission line, the district is without power supply from more than a week affecting the normal life. In absence of power supply, other essential services, including water supply and health services have also been affected, putting the people to lot of difficulties. Students, patients and businessmen are the worst sufferers
Sources in the NHPC told Bold Voice that a temporary arrangement was earlier suggested for restoring the power supply but the same was turned down for technical reasons. As there was no possibility of restoration of the power, the people had to suffer at least for five more days . “The work on the construction of the tower is underway and the electricity is likely to be resorted by June 1”, official sources preferring not to be named said.
Meanwhile, various political leaders have stressed the state government especially the Power Development Department (PDD) to restore the power supply to this mountaneous district.
Threatening to launch an agitation, the leader alleged that the authorities were casual in solving woes of the affected areas. Regarding the matter a deputation of local political leaders including Pyare Lal Shan of Congress, Shakir Siddiqui of PDP, Sunil Sharma of BJP and Imtiaz Zarger of NC met with deputy commissioner Kishtwar and requested him to take the matter with NHPC and ensure the early restoration of electricity “Several days have been passed but nothing effective has been so far to restore power supply in this belt”, the deputation told DC. On listening the deputation Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar called upon NHPC and the general Manager assured the deputy commissioner that the electricity will be restored by Monday.

Kishtwar in darkness, NHPC in slumber

For the last more than a week whole district Kishtwar is in complete darkness due to collapse of one of the tower of 132KV line near PulDoda. Though NHPC responsible for the maintenance of 132KV line supplying electricity to Kishtwar is claiming that the repair work is going on but at the same time residents are blaming the authorities for executing work at very low pace. The residents are subject to huge inconvenience as every year the power supply is disturbed due to damage of one or the other tower. But no one at the helm of affairs is serious to solve the problem forever. Once again Kishtwar has faced the brunt of government apathy and non serious attitude of the concerned authorities towards serious issues of public importance. Scenario prevailing in this mountainous district has raised several eye brows over the functioning of NHPC. NHPC is earning crores from Kishtwar and in return it can not even maintain a supply line what to talk of working for the overall development of the region as promised. The way NHPC had acted and responded it has only strengthen the belief that government of India and its agencies are bothered only about the natural resources of the region and they have no care about the people living in this region. Today people ask a simple question, if they pay taxes why do not they get the minimum services they pay for. The government and the concerned authorities need to put their acts together and do the necessary explanation. amid chaos and confusion the people of this area are looking forward towards their elected representatives who are expected to take hardened stand for the benefit and convenience of the people who have given them the mandate

132 KV tower collapse,

SHEIKH NASIR
Kishtwar: Normal life in Kishtwar district and parts of Doda was thrown out of gear following incessant rains and subsequent complete power shut down due to collapse of 132 KV line.
People were already facing hardships due to the continuous rains for last two weeks, the power shut down in the mountaneous district added to their miseries.
The entire district was plunged into darkness when the power supply to this district was snapped due to collapse of 132 KV line near Pul Doda.
Though the NHPC was making efforts to repair the damaged tower, inclement weather condition was obstructing the restoration work. Pertinently, the maintenance of the power supply line to this district is entrusted to NHPC, and according to NHPC authorities the power supply was disrupted following the caving in of a tower near Pul- Doda.
“The restoration work was immediately started and efforts are being made to restore the supply as soon as possible”, NPHC authorities told Bold Voice. They however said the restoration work of supply to Kishtwar will take at least five days more as till date only basement has been constructed and after a couple of days the tower will be erected. Here in the district the people are suffering due to no electricity. Most of shops dealing with electronic goods and mobile recharge are closed. Besides traders and shopkeepers the students are the worst sufferers who are appearing in different examinations now a days. Long ques of people are being seen in front of Photostat and other shop for getting their cell phone battery charged on gensets and for that they pay Rs. 20/- per hour

MLA distributes RET engagement orders

Kishtwar: Selected candidates for engagement of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers for various newly opened and updgraded schools of district Kishtwar were distributed orders by MLA Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo..
The engag werement orders were distributed to the selected candidates of Education Zone Kishtwar, Nagseni and Padder at a function held at Kishtwar.
Speaking at the occasion Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo said that the number of new schools have been opened and various others upgraded for providing the education to every one at doorsteps. Saying that he has struggled a lot for getting these schools opened / upgraded MLA stressed upon the newly engaged teachers to work with dedication and honesty. Besides MLA, CEO kishtwar and ZEO Kishtwar also spoke on the occasion. Ghulam Qadir Butt Zonal Education Officer in his address explained the government order no. 288 and apprised the gathering about the provisions and implementation of the order. Butt said that there is confusion with regard to interpretation of the order but it need to clarified in order to avoid litigations and controversies. He made it clear that the selection of the candidates has been made as per the norms and guidelines with transparency.

Kishtwar boy develops anti-piracy software

Kishtwar: A Kishtwar boy claims to have developed software which may be soon used world over to stop piracy.
Named as ‘Bharat’, the software has recently received special prize at Srijan’10 - an initiative of IWSB, which provides a springboard to the numerous entrepreneurial ideas across the whole country - organised by Indus World School of Business (IWSB) at New Delhi and has also been tested by the worlds leading software giants Microsoft and DEL.
Though yet to get recognition, the software developed by Vishnu Bhanu, son of a local scribe Balbir Jamwal, has the potential to stop the growing menace of piracy world over.
The Kishtwar lad claims to have ‘invented’ the software while making a CD pack. "I realized that the hard work rendered by some one to prepare a software or any other like computer programme can easily be cracked", he told Greater Kashmir adding, "It was beyond my imagination that one day I will be able to prepare a software like this".
The young boy, whose father cut many expenses to procure him a computer, claims that if put to use this software would save the reputed software companies from considerable loss.
Without any advance training in the computers, the boy said that he had to study the computer language from the books before starting work on the project. "Initially I practice the language on the computer in my school before I was lucky to have my own PC".
It took more than three years to Bhanu to develop the software and is now waiting for the right day when he will get it recognized world over.
The young software developer claimed that the Indus World School of Business (IWSB) has agreed to develop the software in partnership with the company he would soon be floating.

Rules for Fools: ReT, Regular teachers attached, transferred

Govt Schools depicts true picture of ‘educational reforms’
SHEIKH NASIR

Kishtwar: Despite repeated claims of the coalition government regarding measures being taken to uplift educational standard in the rural areas, schools in this part of the state are in pathetic condition due to the acute shortage of adequate staff, illegal attachments and premature transfers of teachers.
Appointments of teachers under Rehber-e-Taleem and Serva Shiksha Abhiyan have failed to rescue the people from the deplorable conditions and the measures seems to have failed to yield the desired results.
Government Middle Schools Chicha and Bhella in Nagseni zone are the glaring examples of the ‘educational reforms’. Having the total sanctioned strength of six teachers only one (ReT) teacher was reportedly servicing in each school.
Middle School Checha is near about 40 years old as it has been established in 1971.The schools is the only middle School in the area where the students after covering a long distance are coming daily from near about 10 surrounding villages.
Not only the regular line teachers even some of the ReT teachers posted in these schools have also been attached to other schools. Despite the fact that government has imposed blanket ban on attachments and there are clear directions for the ReT to serve in the respective school even after being inducted as permanent teachers. But rules and regulations seems to be not meant for far flung areas like Chicha Nagseni.
Villagers told The Bold Voice that they have knocked the doors of the authorities at the helm of affairs and have apprised them about the problems confronting the students of the school but all in vain.
Ghulam Hussain, a local resident said, "We approached the CEO Kishtwar as well as the concerned ZEO but no action was taken and it seems that the authorities are sleeping over the matter". He claimed that non availability of teaching staff in the schools have forced the residents to migrate from the area.
"It is very unfortunate that for teaching 8 classes only a single teacher has been posted whereas in the schools situated in the towns more than 20 teachers are being posted in one school" said Mohd Shafi, another local resident. He also criticized this step motherly treatment by the higher authorities and has demanded immediate adjustment of the teaching staff in the school.

Kishtwar Sapphire: The truth we know

SHEIKH NASIR
KISHTWAR: The tall claims of the successive state government that it is has taken possible steps to explore the world famous Kishtwar mines remained on papers while the mines continue to be ravaged by vandals and smugglers.
The state government claimed in 2005 that it has invited bidders for the Paddar Sphire mines and the process is expected to complete soon. However, even after around four years the process seems ending no where.
Who will believe that in this age it is impossible to rescue the Paddar sapphire mines from being ravaged by vandals and smugglers during winter? An official version to the effect that there indeed is a problem leaves us baffled. Asmuggling racket in which sapphires worth Rs 35 lakh have been seized reveals quite a few chinks in our safety apparatus.
As reported earlier by this newspaper, a small posse of five to seven police personnel which protects the front portion of the mines during summer altogether abandons them once the winter sets in. Why should it happen? It is true that the Paddar valley rising as high as more than 15000 feet is the farthest corner of Kishtwar district touching idyllic Zanskar in the Ladakh region and the adjoining state of Himachal Pradesh.
The mines are situated in highly rugged terrain of the Himalayas which is mostly snow bound. The working season there is between July and September. During this period too the temperature seldom exceeds 10 degree Celsius. In the mines the temperature is said to be mostly minus 2 to minus 10 degree Celsius.
The short extraction period — apart from the widespread perception about the adverse security scenario — is the reason for global players to keep off offers for exploring the area. There is little that one can do if investors from other states and abroad are less than keen in helping us out. Why should we, however, be not able to set our house in order? It is said that the location is a big deterrent.
From the district headquarters of Kishtwar to Atholi, a distance of 60 kilometres is covered by a fair-weather road and from Atholi to Sumcham, where the mines are situated, there is a distance of 40 kilometres through the bridle path only. It means that it takes two to three days for the police party to travel from one end to the other. Is this the only place in the State which has such difficult topography?
There are several populated helmets which are in a worse condition. Their inhabitants overcome hardships everyday unless when devastated by natural calamities like snow avalanches. Don’t we assist them to live a normal life? Don’t we protect the Jawahar Tunnel through the mighty Pir Panjal against all vagaries of weather? Are our jawans not posted in Siachen, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield, so that we in the rest of the State and the country can sleep comfortably? Why should we then be found wanting in looking after such a big source of income as the Paddar mines are? We are constrained to say that the argument that the land and weather are treacherous does not cut much ice. There are necessary facilities available these days to ensure a comfortable stay for the police men everywhere snow or no snow. How do the villagers live in the same vicinity throughout the year?
Yes, for any such exercise to be meaningful we have to commercially exploit the mineral wealth with a high degree of efficiency. For this we have to gear up our own resources. As it is we don’t have evaluation of deposits in the area. Does this not mean that our homework leaves much to be desired? We have limited infrastructure at the mines. We always keep grumbling about financial restraints. Why don’t we achieve the returns which may far exceed the expenditure? The collective effect of our negative attitude is that we have done very little mining. Instead, we have left the doors open for all those wanting to loot and scoot. Paddar sapphires are compared with the best in the world, the other notable places being Myanmar, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. It is said that it is characteristic of equally prized ruby to be found along with blue sapphire in the mines as both of them belong to the same corundum family. Have we ever heard of any such valuable find being made in our mines in the picturesque Kishtwar district?

Doda water crisis, a cause of worry for locals

Doda: The acute water crisis in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir has added to the worries of local residents, who have been forced to face numerous problems due to it.
More than sixteen villages of the district are facing problems due to the acute shortage of water in the area.
The villagers are the major sufferers, as they have to walk for around 3 Kilometers one side to fetch water for their daily chores. Women and children have to stand in lines for several hours to cumulate water.
Villagers have no other alternatives because there is no other source of water till around 10 kilometers from the village.
They have adopted different measures to preserve rainwater and in adverse conditions they even use this water for drinking purpose. Villagers have to buy water at the rate of Rs50 for 40 litres.
Global warming has resulted in delay of the monsoons, which has further dried up major natural sources of water like the rivers, streams and ground water sources like hand pumps. Consequently, the harried locals are suffering due to the limited water supply.
Villagers complained that they have been facing this problem from the last 15 years.
Despite repeatedly approaching the concerned officials, no steps have been taken by the administration to cure their problems.
On their part, concerned officials acknowledge that there is shortage of water in the region while assuring some schemes have been planned and these will bring relief to the locals.
Irregular pattern of rains and a delay in monsoons has caused a serious concern amongst people putting up in several parts of India.

CM’s visit disappoint may in Kishtwar

Omar for better road network to boost rural economy
Kishtwar : The recent visit of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, first since the new dispensation came into power in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, disappointed many in this mountainous district.
Much was being expected from the Chief Minister, who had not till now, paid even a single visit to the district since taking over the reign of powers in the state. However, he came and returned leaving the locals guessing as what was the basic purpose of the visit.
The state government has proposed a 212 crore road project to the Centre to increase connectivity in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir and boost their economy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, while addressing a public rally, here.
"A Rs 212 Crore road project for linking Dacchan, Marwah, Paddar and other areas in Kishtwar district has been prepared and forwarded to the Centre for funding," he added.
Unless roads are built and far-off areas made accessible required progress in health, education and other important sectors cannot be achieved, he said.
"Our endeavour is to remove poverty and backwardness of far-flung areas by creating dependable road network which in turn will generate wide ranging economic activities", the Chief Minister said.
However, away from the media glare and publicity, the local residents feel ignored and dejected. "Nothing has been talked in real sense", a local resident Abdul Rashid said adding, "Everything said in the public meeting has been said since years but the ground situation remained same". Another resident Bal Krishan termed the visit of chief minister a "Mazzak" with the people of this mountainous district. he said that people were having high expectations from CM but all in vain.

SAFFRON BLUES

The current sorry state of saffron trade in Kishtwar merits immediate and serious policy and administrative actions. From Rs 2.7 lakhs per kg last season to Rs 1.3 lakhs this season, the price slide is simply disastrous. The market credibility and respect of Kishtwar saffron – regarded as the world’s best – and grown with most painstakingly by the farmers, is at stake today. Today, profitability for farmers from saffron is very low. Currently, over 5310 families, especially in Poochal and Cherar areas of the district, are engaged in saffron farming. Other villages, include Hanjala, Hullar, Pohi, Berwar, Bindraban Dugga Girinagar, Sangrambata, Kundhal, Narangad, Hatta, Begana, Berabhata, Hidyal, Arsi, Tund, Bemarnag, Traxina and Nagni. But low land holding remains an issue. Official figures revealed that 120 hectare of land was under saffron cultivation in Kishtwar district. There are some policy and regulation steps that need to be taken up at the central government level. Kozhikode, Mangalore and Chennai airports have become major smuggling points of saffron that comes from Iran. After import, saffron is re-branded as Kashmiri saffron and exported to international markets. This results in price reduction of genuine Kashmiri saffron in Indian, and international markets as well. The J&K government needs to impress upon Central government to look into these loopholes very seriously. If at all saffron is to be imported that must come through legal channels with applicable import duties. Now the diminished productivity; subject experts have been attributing low saffron productivity to glitches like long planting cycles, non-graded corms of random weights, no fungicide treatment of corms, non-application of farm yard manure and inorganic fertilizers. But practically speaking, such cost-intensive practices are not possible for most of the farmers given today’s market costs. As such, selling of 2-5 kanals of land in the saffron growing belts makes better economic sense for farmers today. Then there are some steps which need to be taken by saffron growers and traders themselves. One responsibility relates to ensuring purity and quality of the saffron they buy in pure form from the farmers. Second is to correct the weighing inconsistencies. There is a glaring weighing distortion which puts the farmers at a real disadvantage. While the traders buy saffron in out-fashioned system of tolas (comprising 11.75 gms), they sell the same onwards in the normal terms of 10 gms as one tola. So if a farmer sells one kilogram of saffron to a local trader he loses 175 grams in the process. Government needs to amend the Saffron Act to bring in weighing uniformity. It is a fact that the decline in production is also due to erratic rainfall and consequent drought like conditions that are now a regular feature of our climate. For the sake of better ownership, saffron growers must ideally contribute financial resources in developing irrigation systems.

Crom Rot disease affects Saffron cultivation

Farmers in doldrums, Govt turns blind eye
S.N. HUSSAIN
Kishtwar: The prevailing drought like conditions in mountainous Kishtwar district has hit the Saffron cultivators most, who are finding themselves at the cross roads.
The government also admitted the sudden fall in the saffron cultivation in the region and has shifted the blame on the prevailing weather conditions and ‘Crom rot’ disease, which has spread in the saffron cultivated areas.
Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, in reply to a question of MLA Kishtwar Sajad Ahmed Kichloo, recently told the Legislative Assembly that government was taking steps to improve the saffron cultivation in the district. He said that the fall in the saffron cultivation was due to the drought like situation and Crom Rot disease.
Crom rot is a disease which affects many different types of plants. Plants afflicted with this disease experience rot around their stems, in the area where the stem joins the root. Typically, crown rot is fatal, although it can be treated in some cases if a gardener is willing to put in some extensive efforts. As with many other plant diseases, prevention is easier than curing.
The farmers were already suffering in the absence of a transparent marketing structure and the lack of state support for prices means a good saffron crop would not necessarily translate into cash in the farmers’ pockets.
Few outside Kishtwar even know the valley is home to a major saffron industry. Unlike their better-known counterparts in the Kashmir valley’s Pampore area, the Kishtwar saffron growers do not figure either in the Jammu and Kashmir Government tourism brochures or the minds of the Srinagar-based bureaucrats. Nonetheless, the business has, over the decades, thrived and grown. While Pampore supplies wholesale markets in New Delhi, Kishtwar feeds Punjab’s saffron hub, Amritsar.
Official neglect has hit farmers’ interests hard. Much of the wholesale trade out of Kishtwar is controlled by three large dealers who, farmers say, function as a price-fixing cartel.
Sold at upwards of Rs. 430 for 10 grams in Amritsar, saffron fetches the Kishtwar farmers between Rs. 350 and 400, depending on the quality. Besides, the buyers insist on purchasing in the traditional Tola measures, rather than by the gram. Thus, farmers sell 11.7 grams of saffron for the price of 10 grams, giving dealers another layer of profit.
While 1.7 grams may not seem a huge amount, even small quantities of saffron are precious. Few farmers can boast of more than an acre and a half of land and the yields are highly variable.
Saffron farming is a tough business. Saffron bulbs are planted once every four years. When the bulbs flower, the stamens have to be picked by hand. Every four years, the bulbs have to be removed from the soil, dried, and transplanted to new fields. For the past four years, poor rainfall has led to declining yields and many bulbs have been destroyed by the dryness.
The farmers’ hardship was partly mitigated by the fact that uses have been discovered for damaged bulbs and the plant’s blue flowers in herbal cosmetic and medicinal products. But producers fear that the benefits of a good rainfall will be undone by the absence of a government-run price support mechanism.
State disinterest is tragic since encouraging high-value crops such as saffron could transfigure the fortunes of the economically backward Kishtwar.
The region also produces wild Gucchi, or morels, which retail for over Rs. 1,000 a kg in Jammu markets. State intervention could have helped develop methods to commercially cultivate morels in the region’s poorest high-altitude hamlets. Vegetables grown in Doda district, of which Kishtwar is a part, are popular in Jammu markets along with the region’s speciality, Rajma beans. Again, the absence of a storage and marketing mechanism has meant farmers rarely get the prices they deserve.

Nahre-e-Naigad project likely to restart

Govt engages consultant for investigation, design
BOLD VOICE SPECIAL
The government has generated a new hope for the residents of mountainous Kishtwar district for the decade old Nahre-e-Naigad project for which it has engaged consultant for investigation, design and preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR), which may pave a way for resumption of the construction work for the prestigious canal.
Reply to a question of MLA Kishtwar Sajad Ahmed Kichloo, in the state legislative assembly, Minister for PHE and Irigation Taj Mohi-ud-Din disclosed that the government was contemplating to restart the construction work on the prestigious project. "A consultant has been engaged for investigation, design and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Naigad Canal and the work was in progress", the minister informed. It is pertinent to mention here that the work on the canal was started in the early fifties. However, the project was abandoned due to the geographical and technical difficulties coupled with the financial constrains due only 9.5 kilometer canal was constructed. At that point of time the material for the construction of work was reportedly been carried for 50 kilometers on mules.
Following a fresh agitation for the construction of the project, the government prepared another proposal under which the water was to be brought to reservoir in Kishtwar by laying pipes from Naigad area. However, this project again failed to take up.
Official sources told The Bold Boice that the project if constructed would not only help in mitigating the water scaricity problem of the area but around 2000 acres of land can also be irrigated.
As per the prescribed norms PHE department is bound to supply 40 liters of water per consumer a day but only 13 liters was being supplied to the consumers in Kishtwar.
As per the official figures there are around 20 irrigation schemes/Khuls/canals under construction under District Plan and 17 irrigation scheme under CCS-AIBP, 4 schemes under BRGF, 23 schemes under RSVY and 1 scheme under Flood Control Sector during the current financial year.

World Water Day and Kashtwar

In the wake of World Water Day, mountainous Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir state is confronted with some very important and disturbing questions related to its water resources. While World Water Day in our state was marked by some official functions, away from general public debate and curiosity people living in this far flung area continue to reel under the shortage of drinking and irrigation water. As the name Kishtwar derived from old world Kashtwar (Kasht Ka Bhandar) suggest, the mountainous area of the state continue to face the difficulties due to the shortage of water resources despite the fact that the government, over the years, has claimed to have spent billions of rupees for various water supply schemes. The scenario in the area is not different from many parts of the state where even in the 21st century, Bijli, Pani and Sadak continue to remain the basic issues confronting the general masses. Given the importance of this issue to our collective survival in the face of the drastic climatic changes, this day ought to be taken to the centre of public debate and awareness. It is an irony that in spite of Jammu and Kashmir being a highly important river basin for the South Asian region, the present concerns emanating from precipitation deficiency, temperature rise and water scarcity did not resonate with the desired amplitude. The absence of debate and advocacy activities at non governmental level, which otherwise help in furthering the discourse and advocacy for the official agenda, does not augur well either. One of the disturbing issues confronting us is the fact that Jammu & Kashmir state has so far been able to harness only 14 per cent of its ground water resources. This comes at a time when our surface water sources are depleting fast and not able to keep pace with the current needs. Given this situation, it is time for a major policy review and overhaul of our state’s water management. Beyond policy review, the government also needs to mobilize requisite resources and fine tune administrative and governance systems to make such policy work. Till government rise from its slumber and start thinking about the plights of the people living in far flung areas, people in mountainous Kishtwar district will continue to fetch water from the natural resources, which otherwise are extinguishing by every passing day.

Many souls under threat in ‘Sinking village’

SN HUSSAIN
Kishtwar: Hundreds of people living in a small hamlet of Padder area in mountainous Kishtwar district are constantly living under threat after authorities declared this ‘sinking village’ dangerous and ‘unfit for living’.
Situated on a hillock at a distance of around 2 kilometers from Gulabgarh, Tehsil Headquarter of Paddar, Hourian Gowari village comprises of around 25 families and 159 souls and is sinking from last around six years.
Local residents told that the village is constantly sinking and fissures were visible on the ground in the village and is surrounding threatening many lives. They said that despite the repeated assurances from the district administration no step for their settlement at a suitable and safe place has been taken so far.
One person was killed and scores others were injured in the village after portion of a land caved in the year 2005. After being informed district administration had immediately deputed a team of senior officials to the village.
Following the report of the team, another team of experts from Geology and Mining Department was sent to the village for ascertaining the reasons and taking stock of the situation in the village.
Official sources said that the team vide its report No 2G/TG/DGM/25/06-07/II/4327 dated 24-11-2008 declared the entire village unsecured besides asking the villagers to take special precautionary measures.
As per the report, copy of which is with the Bold Voice, the village is situated at an elevation of 1900 m above m.s.l just above the Bhut Nallah. The area lies between the Latial Nallah (North) and Kher Nallah (South). The ridge on which the village is situated has slope angle of more than 50 degree and at the base of the ridge there are escarpments on both sides of Bhut Nallah forming a deep gorge.
"During the reconnaissance of the area, cracks, fissures, fractures and subsidence were observed in the agricultural fields. The cracks were also observed in the walls of the newly constructed houses beside damage to the subsidence and sliding phenomenon in which walls of the house are tilted, with floor cracks rendering the houses of the inhabitants unsafe for living purposes", the report reads.
However, the report was not enough to panic the district administration which remained slept over the matter till locals submitted written representations to the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar demanding resettlement of the villagers.
District administration again deputed concerned tehsildar to the village, who after conducted a visit to the village wrote to the Deputy Commission vide letter No 591/MM dated 4-11-2009 that the village is awaiting a major catastrophe as it was not fit for the living. He further sought the direction for resettlement of 25 families comprising 159 souls of the village.
Taking strong notice of the report the DC Vide his order No 1132-34/010 dated 7-7-2010 directed the concerned revenue officers to allot 5 Marlas of state land to each family in the Khasra No 442 at Gulabgarh.
However, the local residents have refused to abandon their village and settle in Gulagarh area. Reports from the area revealed that the villagers are demanding financial assistance to construct at least few rooms per family so that they can migrate from the village. The villagers have reportedly told the revenue officials that they were not in a position to construct residential structures for them as such they may be provided financial assistance failing which the villagers have threatened to live in the same village at the mercy of God.

R&B Kishtwar throws all norms to wind allot works worth lakhs without inviting tenders

S.N.HUSSAIN
Kishtwar: Throwing all norms to the wind the Public Works Department is reportedly swindling lakh of rupees by executing development works worth lakhs through some blue eyed contractors in violation of prescribed guide lines and norms. Be it Ghulam Nabi Azad’s tirade against corruption or Umar Abdullah’s corruption free administration, the slogans of transparency does not seems to have much effect in some of the departments working in this remote mountainous district, which is already battling discriminatory and step motherly treatment at the hand of successive governments.
Informed sources told Bold Voice that R&B Division Kishtwar is executing works through some blue eyed contractors that worth lakhs of rupees without inviting tenders. Sources further disclosed that in recent past the work on Hullar link road was started by an unknown agency without any NIT. Aggrieved with the same a deputation of local contractors approached the Executive Engineer and requested him to issue order for the stopping the illegal and unauthorized work going on. On listening the contractors the X-en Kishtwar directed Asst Executive Engineer vide a letter to stop any un authorized construction but despite the orders from the concerned authorities the work was not stopped by the agency as it was learnt that the work was being executed in proxy by a close kin of one of the political heavy weight. Sources have further disclosed that the work of walling in Donadi – Bonjwah road has also been allotted to some bye eyed contractor with out floating tenders and the agency has started extraction of stones at site. Not only this, to favour few individual various roads are being constructed without adopting the proper procedure of acquisition etc whereas the old under construction roads regarding which all the requisite formalities stands completed decades ago are being ignored. The Executive Engineer Kishtwar while confirming the news has said that most of the works are being executed after floating the tenders. When asked about the Donadi Bonjwah road Xen showed his ignorance and said he has no knowledge of the allotment or execution of the work.

PDP Does A Volte Face On Women’s Right

By: Yamini Kaul
Brings in Controversial PRD Bill After Praising 33% Political Reservation for Women
Just a few days after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti hailed the passage of the women reservation bill in the Rajya Sabha, her party tabled the controversial Permanent Resident Disqualification Bill in the J&K Assembly on March 12, 2010. In the recent times, one has hardly come across such a volte face committed by a party that claims to be a representative of the aspirations of millions of people in the state.
It took Mufti less than a week from celebrating the success of 33% reservation for women in the political arena to closing the door of their home-state on their faces, were they to marry a man who is not a State Subject of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bill was tabled earlier in 2004 and had the support of both the National Conference (then in the Opposition) and the PDP (part of the ruling conglomerate with the Congress). However, thankfully the Bill was stone-walled in the Legislative Council and opposed even by the Congress party, with the whole nation joining in the following outcry.
The fact that both the parties, NC and PDP, were political arch rivals at that time, and still are, did not deter either of the leadership to join ranks to disallow the women of the State any right to state subjectship, own property or even voting rights.In a way, this Bill stands quite opposite to the 33% political reservation bill for women passed in the Upper House of the Parliament and it remains to be seen how the Congress and the NC will react to it this time. However, one thing which is clear in this scenario is that neither of the political parties in the State are really a friend of the 50% population.
If this wouldn’t have been true, would the PDP not have thought of those women, who are already married to men who are non-State Subjects of J&K. Did Mufti, or others of her ilk, give a single thought to the eventuality where any of these women gets divorced or widowed. What would such a women do in the situation, where she couldn’t even come back to her own home state to seek a grip on her crumbling life? Perhaps the Bill holds an answer to that or perhaps it doesn’t.
Let us hear out what some common people have to say about the Bill and its discriminatory nature.
Mrs. Renu Nanda, noted social activist and academician, who is married to a Punjabi, says that she would lose her state subjectship as well as her right to own a property or even vote in the State elections, if the Bill was passed.
She was vociferous while opining, "I will not get jobs. It is inequality. It means double standards."
Though not as vociferous, but equally miffed at the development is another young man from Kashmir, whose two sisters are married outside the State, in fact, outside the country as well. Jamal Ahmed, whose two sisters are married to a Pakistani and a Bangladeshi, is worried about the unintentional effect of such legislation.
He asks, "God forbid, if tomorrow any of my sisters gets divorced from her husband, would that mean that she has no one to turn to in her parents’ family. Does it mean that she has no choice but to slug it out in a foreign country, among her in laws, instead of coming back to her home state, where she would be more welcome?"
While the PDP, or any of the other parties have come clear on any of these questions, the Bill awaits discussion in the State Assembly.

PDP Does A Volte Face On Women’s Right

By: Yamini Kaul
Brings in Controversial PRD Bill After Praising 33% Political Reservation for Women
Just a few days after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti hailed the passage of the women reservation bill in the Rajya Sabha, her party tabled the controversial Permanent Resident Disqualification Bill in the J&K Assembly on March 12, 2010. In the recent times, one has hardly come across such a volte face committed by a party that claims to be a representative of the aspirations of millions of people in the state.
It took Mufti less than a week from celebrating the success of 33% reservation for women in the political arena to closing the door of their home-state on their faces, were they to marry a man who is not a State Subject of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bill was tabled earlier in 2004 and had the support of both the National Conference (then in the Opposition) and the PDP (part of the ruling conglomerate with the Congress). However, thankfully the Bill was stone-walled in the Legislative Council and opposed even by the Congress party, with the whole nation joining in the following outcry.
The fact that both the parties, NC and PDP, were political arch rivals at that time, and still are, did not deter either of the leadership to join ranks to disallow the women of the State any right to state subjectship, own property or even voting rights.In a way, this Bill stands quite opposite to the 33% political reservation bill for women passed in the Upper House of the Parliament and it remains to be seen how the Congress and the NC will react to it this time. However, one thing which is clear in this scenario is that neither of the political parties in the State are really a friend of the 50% population.
If this wouldn’t have been true, would the PDP not have thought of those women, who are already married to men who are non-State Subjects of J&K. Did Mufti, or others of her ilk, give a single thought to the eventuality where any of these women gets divorced or widowed. What would such a women do in the situation, where she couldn’t even come back to her own home state to seek a grip on her crumbling life? Perhaps the Bill holds an answer to that or perhaps it doesn’t.
Let us hear out what some common people have to say about the Bill and its discriminatory nature.
Mrs. Renu Nanda, noted social activist and academician, who is married to a Punjabi, says that she would lose her state subjectship as well as her right to own a property or even vote in the State elections, if the Bill was passed.
She was vociferous while opining, "I will not get jobs. It is inequality. It means double standards."
Though not as vociferous, but equally miffed at the development is another young man from Kashmir, whose two sisters are married outside the State, in fact, outside the country as well. Jamal Ahmed, whose two sisters are married to a Pakistani and a Bangladeshi, is worried about the unintentional effect of such legislation.
He asks, "God forbid, if tomorrow any of my sisters gets divorced from her husband, would that mean that she has no one to turn to in her parents’ family. Does it mean that she has no choice but to slug it out in a foreign country, among her in laws, instead of coming back to her home state, where she would be more welcome?"
While the PDP, or any of the other parties have come clear on any of these questions, the Bill awaits discussion in the State Assembly.

Kichloo wants budget session preponed

Jammu: Like other legislators representing rural constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo MLA Kishtwar also wants the House calendar advanced by at least a month to monitor works on ground during, what they say, “peak season”.
As a matter of precedence, with some exceptions, the budget session of legislatures –both parliament and state assemblies –is convened in the month of February and ends in April. This is time, feel many legislators including Kichloo, they need to be in their constituencies to monitor development works on ground as allocated funds lapse by March 31, the close of fiscal year.
In hilly areas of Jammu province, most of Kashmir and almost entire Ladakh, infrastructure development works come to a near halt in the months of November, December and January owing to adverse climatic conditions. It is only by the middle of February that administrative machinery gears up to meet the targets and this is the time MLAs want to be there to see what is happening on ground.
“We go easy with executing agencies during winter months as there are very little possibilities of works done during winters,” says MLA Kishtwar, Sajjad Kichloo. However, he laments, “When time comes for pulling them (officials) up, we are held up in Jammu for two months.”
“After session ends and we reach back to our constituencies around middle of April, the financial year is already lapsed and fresh allocations are nowhere in sight…peak working season goes futile”, says Kichloo.

Police martyrs memorial cricket tournament inaugurated

IRFAN KICHLOO
Kishtwar: First ever Police Martyrs Memorial Cricekt Tournament is being organized by District Police Kishtwar.
At this occasion families of police martyrs were specially invited at Chowgan to attend the inaugural function of the Tournament.
Cricket tournament was got inaugurated by the parents of the martyrs namely Mohan Lal father of martyrs constable Ravinder Kumar, Noor Husain father of martyr constable Mir Baksh , Ramesh Kumar father of martyr constable Raj Kumar and Rakesh Sen brother of martyr constable Anil Kumar in presence of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar G.R Bhagat, District SP Kishtwar Dr. Haseeb Mughal and other police and civil officers.While talking to Bold Voice, District SP Kishtwar Dr. Haseeb Mughal said that the object behind organizing tournament by police is to remember the police martyrs who have laid down their lives in various militancy related operations while fighting with hardcore terrorists. He said that tournament is being organized on 20-20 pattern and 24 teams are participating in the tournament including teams of Police, CRPF and CISF

Bold Voice organizes debate

Kishtwar: The Bold Voice organized a debating contest on the theme " Role of youth in Politics" at Kishtwar. The programme which was held at Community Hall Kishtwar besides a large number of students was attended by prominent persons including political activist of district. Students from different institutions participated in the contest and the adjudicators of the contest were Prof. Surinder Sen , Sh Kewel Krishan Sharma Retired Educationist and author of various books, and J.R.Aryan Rtd S. E and a columnist. At the inauguration of the function, founder of the weekly Sheikh Nasir Hussain while speaking on the occasion said that he started this newspaper with the purpose to provide a platform to the people to express their views and opinion and to high light their genuine demands. Sheikh Nasir said that journalism is the mirror of the society and a journalist has to act with profound sense of responsibility. While informing that Bold Voice has completed six years of its publication he said that despite of all odds the Bold voice has unearthed various scams and has also raised the genuine issues of the area. He assured that like past it will also inform and comment upon the matter of public interest in decent, sober and accurate manner.
In the contest half of the participants spoke in favour of the motion whereas rest spoke against the motion. Two experts Qazi Akhter and J.R Aryan also spoke on the topic and presented their views. In the contest Subash Kumar from Degree College Kishtwar won the first prize, whereas second prize was won by Vijay Kumar of GDC Kishtwar and third prize was won by Prateek Rathore of Little Angel Academy Kishtwar. On this occasion special prizes were given to different local organizations including Students of Asraria valley Public School, Message for Humanity and Students Welfare Association. Among others who were present on this occasion include B.D.O Kishtwar Qazi Akhter Hussain, District President Congress Pradeep Parihar, PDP leader Rehmat-ullah Malik, NC Youth leader D.D Farooq, Dr. Nazir Hussain and Roop Lal President Teachers Forum.

Bold Voice organizes debate.

Kishtwar: The Bold Voice organized a debating contest on the theme “ Role of youth in Politics” at Kishtwar. The programme which was held at Community Hall Kishtwar besides a large number of students was attended by prominent persons including political activist of district. Students from different institutions participated in the contest and the adjudicators of the contest were Prof. Surinder Sen , Sh Kewel Krishan Sharma Retired Educationist and author of various books, and J.R.Aryan Rtd S. E and a columnist. At the inauguration of the function, founder of the weekly Sheikh Nasir Hussain while speaking on the occasion said that he started this newspaper with the purpose to provide a platform to the people to express their views and opinion and to high light their genuine demands. Sheikh Nasir said that journalism is the mirror of the society and a journalist has to act with profound sense of responsibility. While informing that Bold Voice has completed six years of its publication he said that despite of all odds the Bold voice has unearthed various scams and has also raised the genuine issues of the area. He assured that like past it will also inform and comment upon the matter of public interest in decent, sober and accurate manner.
In the contest half of the participants spoke in favour of the motion whereas rest spoke against the motion. Two experts Qazi Akhter and J.R Aryan also spoke on the topic and presented their views. In the contest Subash Kumar from Degree College Kishtwar won the first prize, whereas second prize was won by Vijay Kumar of GDC Kishtwar and third prize was won by Prateek Rathore of Little Angel Academy Kishtwar. On this occasion special prizes were given to different local organizations including Students of Asraria valley Public School, Message for Humanity and Students Welfare Association. Among others who were present on this occasion include Block Development Officer Kishtwar Qazi Akhter Hussain, District President Congress Pradeep Parihar, PDP leader Rehmat-ullah Malik, NC Youth leader D.D Farooq, Dr. Nazir Hussain and Roop Lal President Teachers Forum.

Close shave for contractor in Kishtwar area

Renegade turn militant abducts JCB operator, demands ransom
Kishtwar: Brother of a contractor and Congress leader, believed to be right hand of minister for Roads and Buildings Ghulam Muhammad Saroori, had a close shave when a renegade turned militant attacked him at a construction site in Sigdhi area, around 25 kilometers from here. The militant later set a JCB on fire and abducted its operator.
Official sources told News Agency of Kashmir that Congress leader Om Parkash Pasarkote Chatroo had a close shave when a militant opened indiscriminate fire at him at Sigdhi area, this morning.
The contractor, who is brother of Congress leader Piyare Lal, was supervising his construction work being executed under Pradhan Mantry Gram Sadak Yogna (PMGSY) when he was attacked by the militant.
Sources said that more than twenty fires were shot at Om Parkash, who escaped unhurt. His PSO fired in retaliation but militants forced them to flee from the area.
The renegade turned militant, identified as Muhammad Amin of Chatroo area, later set a JCB on fire and abducted its operator. The abducted operator has been identified as Sat Paul of Himachal Pradesh.
Official sources claimed that the contractor and his brother has been facing constant threat from the said militant. "A ransom of Rs 3 lakh has been demanded for the release of the JCP operator", sources told NAK on the condition of anonymity.
It was reliably learnt that Muhammad Amin had gone underground after stealing four AK rifles from the Personal Security Officers (PSOs) of former NC MLA Qazi Jalal-ud-Din, where he was working as domestic help. Security forces after managing a contact with him had persuaded him to work for them.
"He is instrumental in killing more than a dozen hardcore militants in the area following which he surrendered before the security forces, who had promised him a reputed life and heavy cash rewards", sources said adding, "However, when the name of the renegade surfaced in some other murder cases and security forces failed to keep their promises, he again snatched official weapon of a police personal and joined militants".
The renegade has created a reign of terror in the area and believed to have created its own group with the help of some local Gujjar youth. He is openly extracting money from the contractors working in the area, while the security forces are watching helplessly.