TOP STORY OF THE DAY

Secretary PHE abstains from LC Panel meeting `Ensure your presence or face consequences' 1/8/2013 12:31:35 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Jan 7: Amid rising chorus of newspaper reports about rampant corruption in PHE department, a Legislative Council panel today grilled the PHE department and refused to take the meeting of the officials of the department in absence of its Commissioner Secretary, Pawan Kotwal who was supposed to attend the meeting personally but preferred to stay in his cozy chambers. The Standing Committee on Departments headed by fire-brand PDP legislator Muratza Khan had called a meeting of the PHE department in wake of the newspaper reports about misappropriation of public money in PHE department today, however, the meeting was suspended because the Commissioner Secretary PHE, Pawan Kotwal did not turn up for the meeting although he was present in his office in the Civil Secretariat. Sources told Early Times that the committee comprising Murtaza Khan, Vijay Bakaya, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Mohammad Amin Bhat and Master Noor Hussain assembled in the Legislative Council lobby this morning to attend the meeting, however, Commissioner Secretary PHE, Pawan Kotwal did not turn...   READ MORE

FRONT PAGE STORIES

Political activities in ruling NC stagnant at organisational level High command's 'dictatorial' attitude taking toll in both capitals 1/8/2013 12:31:16 AM ET Report JAMMU, Jan 7: The dictatorial attitude of National Conference High Command has started taking toll within the organization with no activity, nor even routine meetings taking place neither at Srinagar nor in the winter capital where Government is stationed at present. The party's activity and presence in the political spectrum of J&K has been reduced to occasional statements made either by Dr Mustafa Kamaal or Devinder Rana, that too as reactive response to statements of other parties. Sources said despite being in power, National Conference is actually suffering from crisis of remaining in a dysfunctional state as no activity nor any programme has been organized for lo...   READ MORE   Crores spent on foreign trips of Ministers, Officers J&K's Tourism promotion campaigns 1/8/2013 12:30:49 AM Javaid Naikoo SRINAGAR, Jan 7: Department of Tourism has concealed vital information sought under RTI Act with regards to visits of officers and the Ministers for their tourism promotion missions abroad. In reply to a question asked by one Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, c/o Tanveer Hussian Khan of Raj Bagh Srinagar about visits of Ministers and officials undertaken to promote J&K as tourist destination at international level from 2008 till date and amount spend on such visits, no information has been given to the applicant and the details have been concealed. However, according to the information provided, Rs. 8,67,660 were spent on the foreign visits of then Director Tourism Jammu, Director Touri...   READ MORE   Traffic Signal Lights: Not for CM?? 1/8/2013 12:30:19 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Jan 7: "The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cavalcade stopping at a traffic signal" is not a practice in winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It was only once on May 16 this year in summer capital Srinagar when his cavalcade stopped at traffic signal till it turned green. But here in Jammu, when Omar's cavalcade move through roads all traffic signals are being put on red light and no traffic is allowed till CM's cavalcade moves. This is leading to the nightmare of traffic jam in old city area. In Srinagar, when CM's cavalcade stopped at a red traffic signal it was played up and by saying that Omar has set an example for others. But after that ...   READ MORE   Is BJP MLA from Marh joining NC? 1/8/2013 12:30:08 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Jan 7: Is BJP MLA from Marh constituency Sukhnandan Chowdhary preparing himself for quitting the party he served for more than two decades and joining the ruling National Conference (NC), which he bitterly opposed throughout? If some insiders are to be believed, then it can be said that he has planned to quit the BJP and join the NC. According to insiders, "Chowdhary has come to believe that he would not be in a position to win for the second time on BJP ticket, as the party has become very unpopular over the period" and that "there are some personal reasons as well which have compelled him to snap ties with the BJP and throw in his political lot with the NC". ...   READ MORE   `SAC has lost its wings, not sting' 1/8/2013 12:29:59 AM ET Report JAMMU, Jan 7: While the High Court's direction to scalp State Accountability Ccommission's (SAC) suo moto probes on anonymous complainants has disseminated a notion about the Commission has been rendered useless, the expert guidance on the issue, on the other hand, has provided a worthy reason on the pronouncement to be very effective. This is not the end of the road for SAC, said one of the renowned legal expert while informing that the decision shall serve greater accountability of the complaints which earlier was not possible as most of such complaints were filed to settle personal scores. Now anybody approaching the SAC with a complaint has to carry the fool proof evidence...   READ MORE   Of 80,000 jobs, half salaries, dead wood and financial constraints 1/8/2013 12:29:34 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Jan 7: The State Government has promised fast track recruitments to 80,000 jobs during the next few months. The Chief Minister made this announcement during his rally in summer capital Srinagar while speaking to Sarpanches and Panches of the Valley. Government jobs have become the only pursuit for the educated youths of the State since there are no viable industries in Jammu and Kashmir. As always, the extreme shortage of electricity despite a huge potential to generate at least another 15000 MWs from the existing water resources, industrial sector has not successfully taken off in the State because of the distances from tertiary markets and the absence of unin...   READ MORE   Irony: India Today rates J&K 'best' for its performance Kashmir valley reeling under severe power crisis 1/8/2013 12:29:02 AM Early Times Report SRINAGAR, Jan 7: Kashmir valley is reeling under severe power crisis for over last one month and there is brewing resentment among the masses against the Government for not taking interest in bettering the power supply position. According to sources, power crisis has led to public resentment among the masses in Valley as contrary to the claims of the authorities that no power cut is enforced in metered areas, people in these localities also face over eight hour power cut. In some parts of city especially in Bemina and old city parts the power supply remained off for six hours today from 7am to 1pm. Even in some areas the night cuts are also enforced despite the fact th...   READ MORE   'Commission fully functional' 1/8/2013 12:31:47 AM JAMMU, Jan 7: Contrary to what has become a public issue, there seems to not even a hint of dissent in Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKSPC). Early Times investigation revealed that Commission is fully functional and all the members are attending office as routine. Members of the Commission have been holding interviews for various posts alongwith experts with just a lunch break in-between, said an official. He added that no one applied for leave during the last 15 days. "Commission is fully-functional," the official added. It had been recently claimed by a retiring member of the Commission that three of the four members of the J&K Public Service Commission had made it clea...   READ MORE   Declare asset details before joining politics and now..........! 1/8/2013 12:28:14 AM In what can be seen as political roaring from Panthers in political arena, in continuation of the outbursts following confrontation with NC and Congress leaders over recent uttering, JKNPP has gone a step further asking stalwarts of both the parties to declare the details of their assets. What carries weight in Bhim Singh's warning today is his assertion on asking all top leaders to declare the assets they possessed before they joined politics and what they own at present. Under the hit list in PP supremo's statement are Abdullhas whom he has asked to declare the details of assets both in India as well as abroad. This move has become mandatory in the backdrop of growing allegations o...   READ MORE   Malik's statements not a setback, says FM Khurshid IS IFO in right hands? 1/8/2013 12:27:12 AM Rustam JAMMU, Jan 7: The December 2012 New Delhi visit of Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik was construed by many in India, including sections of nationalist media, as a deliberate affront to the self-respect of India. The reason: Malik had made a number of highly controversial statements and made negative comments on certain internal matters of India. He had compared the Ayodhya incident with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and 9/11 US terror attacks; he had held the Indian spy agencies responsible for their failure to prevent 26/11 terror attacks which had left 166 innocent civilians dead and a number of others injured, some of them fatally; he had said that Lashkar-e-Toiba militant...   READ MORE   SFC employees union to approach SC against violation of court order 'Forest officials responsible for mess in Corporation' 1/8/2013 12:12:42 AM Asif Iqbal Naik Kishtwar, Jan 7 : State Forest Corporation (SFC) union leadership has decided to approach the Supreme Court to file contempt petition against government and Forest department for violating the court directions in terms of extraction of timber from forests in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision in this regard has been taken by the union during its meeting held by State Forest Corporation Employees Union Chenab Valley held under its president Masood Ahmed Siddiqui at Kishtwar. The participants expressed their strong resentment over the callous attitude of the authorities towards the long pending demands of the employees. The speakers also apprehended that despite downsizing of ...   READ MORE   Filtration plant lying defunct for six years Locals forced to drink polluted water 1/8/2013 12:12:23 AM Saahil Suhail Anantnag, Jan 7: Six years since it developed a snag just weeks after it was commissioned, D K Marg water filtration plant in Kulgam had lied defunct for want of repairs and the residents of Danew Kandimarg and adjoining villages of Kulgam district are facing acute shortage of drinking water and are impelled to consume non potable water from Nallah Vishuoo. "The water supply scheme and filtration plant constructed by the Government in year 2006 is lying defunct and whole area is forced to drink polluted water directly coming from nallah Vishuo and also women folk of the area have to fetch drinking water from springs and Nallah Boshee for which they h...   READ MORE   Mess in JU: Outsider slaps girl student of PG Deptt English 1/8/2013 12:29:49 AM Early Times Report Jammu Jan 7: While there is a huge outcry over crime against women across the nation, a rowdy youth in a broad day light entered into the Post Graduate Department of MA English in Jammu University roughed up a girl student in presence of other students here today. As per sources, the incident also left the top ranks of the Jammu University administration who also are looking into the matter at their own. However, based on the complaint of complainant, the Nehru Market Police Post swung into action and arrested the youth identified by the girl student. Identified as one Rayaz Ahmed of Dalpatian Mohalla, Jammu, the youth was booked under section 107,152 RPC. Eyewitness...   READ MORE   6 coaching centers sealed in Anantnag 1/8/2013 12:11:54 AM Anantnag, Jan 7: Taking the cognizance of Early Times news reports, district administration here in Anantnag in South Kashmir ordered closure of six coaching centres having for reportedly saning adequate space and other basic facilities as prescribed by government norms. Additional Deputy Commissioner Anantnag today forcing restrictions ordered closure of 6 Coaching Centres in Anantnag. Sharing details ADC Anantnag said, "we have ordered closure of Usmania Coaching center, New Usmania, Bright Career, Eternal , Bright Future and Classic Coaching Centre." "We sealed coaching centres and we will start action against the teachers ." he said further adding co...   READ MORE   J&K Govt sitting over 'extra-ordinary' PSC reforms just to accommodate retiring, retired Babus 'Video-recording interviews being resisted' 1/8/2013 12:32:21 AM Syed Junaid Hashmi JAMMU, Jan 7: With several high profile and politically well-connected Bureaucrats and Police Officers all set to retire in the next 14 months, State Government is unlikely to give assent to extraordinary reform measures for bringing increasing transparency and accountability in the functioning of Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKSPC). These reform measures include decreasing strength of members, keeping regular check on functioning, appointing men of integrity, curtailing tenure and video recording interviews of candidates appearing before the Commission. Of these measures, sources said that Commission has sent a detailed note to the Government explaining...   READ MORE   Mirwaiz purposes, Salahuddin, Geelani dispose Musharraf's Four-Point Formula 1/8/2013 12:27:27 AM Neha JAMMU, Jan 7: The self-styled freedom fighters in Kashmir and Muzaffarabad are fighting among themselves, with one of them even threatening a direct action against one of them. The case in point is the suggestion of APHC-M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq that there is no harm in considering former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf's four-point Kashmir "solution" and the rabid opposition to the suggestion of Muzaffarabad-based Kashmiri terrorist and chairman of United Jihad Council (UJC) and "supreme commander" of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Syed Salahuddin and Tehrik-e-Hurriyat (TeH) chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani. That the Kashmiri separatists were not one as far as attitude towards ...   READ MORE   Sultanpur without power for a week, courtesy laxity of Deptt 1/8/2013 12:12:04 AM Bunty Sharma Jammu, Jan 7 : As the winter gets worse, so does the electricity woes, the locals are seen frequently taking to streets to seek repairs of the electric transformers in their areas. Under ongoing severe cold conditions there are villages who are under darkness for weeks together and Sultanpur in Teh & Distt Jammu is one such village which is under darkness for the last one week. "PDD has plunged our village into darkness. We are facing immense hardships due to erratic power supply," the residents of Sultanpur said. "We many times approached the concerned PDD authorities for restoration of power but they failed," they said. The unscheduled power cuts have made our lives mise...   READ MORE

CARTOON CORNER

E-PAPER PREVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

Youth Congress Kalakote holds its meeting APSEWF decides to extend support to JCC's call of strike SMC officials beaten up, police refuses to file complaint Kashmiri Migrant Relief Holders criticize silence of govt over hike in relief Cultural Academy organizes Children Music Competition 2012-13 Police visit coaching centres, want 'separate classes for boys, girls' Reshamghar residents foil bid to theft 3 day unclaimed infant dies at SMGS hospital Maha Jyanti of Swami Nand Bab Sahib celebrated Children's agony, leaders' pride Hundreds made to parade in bitter chill to welcome RRE Pollution promoting 'pesticide industries' goes unabated: locals Cold wave continue unabated throughout J&K Omar for partial withdrawal of AFSPA in J&K Gangster held with pistol, sharp edged weapon 3 day unclaimed infant dies at SMGS hospital Court directs 'further probe' in closure report of houses set on fire Petition of Paramedical Institute for increasing seat intake, start of addl courses allowed Power shut down Painting competition organized Villagers lodge protest against PHE department Panun Kashmir for jobs to displaced Kashmiri Pandits GWC organises AIDS awareness rally 10 people fined for smoking in public places Special prayers for Brig Sonail Only 3 PoK guests arrive, 8 Kashmiris cross to other side of LoC PDP alleges NC-Cong coalition for ignoring interests of SC/ST community Omar launches Jammu-Kargil Air Service 9 yrs term, fine awarded to lady for getting appointment on fake certificate LPG, power shortage in Pulwama; MLA demands restoration of adequate supply More deaths due to road mishaps than militancy in J&K: DGP Tarigami urges Indo-Pak leaders to intervene for peace GDC Udhampur organises Alumni Meet Soz visits Kargil to inaugurate Air Mantra flight MIET Inks MoU with University of Missouri-Kansas City Youth Cong Udh-Doda Lok Sabha constituency allege discrimination by NC led coalition Bandobasti of 'land record' underway in Panchayat Halqa Jandrah J&K Bank promotes 96 executive managers as Assistant Vice Presidents Prof Chaman, JPPF, students condemn coalition's 'new recruitment policy' BJP pays tributes to 1953-Praja Parishad agitationists DyCM holds public meeting at Khour   READ MORE THIS SECTION

OTHER STORIES

India-Pakistan Kotla ODI fixed? We have to play well in ODIs to avenge our Test losses: Yuvraj No end to tennis row, players reject AITA proposal Shami Ahmed credits Wasim Akram, Gautam Gambhir After Ranji ton, Abhishek Nayar sets sights on India recall ODI call-up was expected, says Pujara   READ MORE THIS SECTION

ARCHIVE SECTION

Monday, January 7, 2013 Sunday, January 6, 2013 Saturday, January 5, 2013 Friday, January 4, 2013 Thursday, January 3, 2013 Wednesday, January 2, 2013 Tuesday, January 1, 2013

STOCK UPDATE

BSE Sensex NSE Nifty

CRICKET UPDATE