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Courtesy shutdowns, J&K is on verge of economic collapse General trade alone suffers loss of Rs 40 Cr on each day of Hartal in Kashmir 6/25/2010 12:13:28 AM AHMED ALI FAYYAZ EARLY TIMES REPORT SRINAGAR, Jun 24: If President of Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Sadiq Baqal, is to be believed, there are around 300,000 shops and various sales units in Kashmir valley. Quoting a survey, he said that 2,35,000 shops had been counted in the Valley two years ago. "In a comprehensive exercise, we have calculated that the Valley's economy is suffering loss of Rs 100 Crore on each day of shutdown. General trade alone has been suffering loss of Rs 35 Cr to Rs 40 Cr on each day of shutdown. Leading businessman and President Federation of Chambers & Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shakeel Qallandar, seconded Baqal and said that each day of a total strike would mean dent of Rs 100 Cr to the state economy. He added that the loss suffered by Kashmir was around 90% and even Jammu division, which rarely observes a shutdown, was being subjected to 10% of the damage. With due regards to the spiraling macro economic indicators compiled by Directorate General of Planning and Statistics and presented alongwith his Budget in the Legislative Ass...   READ MORE

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Geelani's agitational programme aimed to sabotage Amarnath Yatra 6/25/2010 12:13:15 AM EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 24: With Hurriyat Geelani announcing it's strike programme from tomorrow the situation in Kashmir valley seems deteriorating day by day. The programme of strike announced by Hurriyat hardliner faction is aimed at sabotaging the two month long holy Amarnath Yatra starting from July 1st. The Hurriyat hardliner faction which has emerged stronger among other separatist groups is enjoying the support of Pakistan. Paying a scant attention towards sufferings and miseries faced by common Kashmiris due to constant bandhs and strikes the Hurriyat leader wants to keep pot boiling and further the agenda of his mentors across the border. The another reason for the st...   READ MORE   Despite 'heat' on other border posts, Chamliayal witnesses calm confluence of troops Gaiety, zeal mark exchange of pleasantries 6/25/2010 12:13:00 AM MISHU GUPTA / KUNAL SRIVATSA EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 24: As foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan met today in Islamabad to bridge the ties further ,remove trust deficit and push forward the dialogue process, thousands of miles away Indian and Pakistani para-military troops guarding the borders of their respective countries also met albeit under a different ambience. The occasion was the annual Chamliyal Mela (Fair) where personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) and Pak Rangers joined thousands of devotees at the shrine of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas popularly known as 'Baba Chamliyal' near the border village of Chamliyal on International Border, about 42 kms from here, in ...   READ MORE   Bonhomie of forces at Chamliayal On their 'extra guard', BSF officials make media a weary lot 6/25/2010 12:12:40 AM KUNAL SHRIVATSA EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 24: Every year a large number of media persons enthusiastically reach Chamliyal village to cover the historical mela and throughout in the past the hospitality they received from the Border Security Force remained impeccable but this time around it was all chaos and mismanagement on part of the BSF officials. It was due to the poor handling of the event by BSF that the journalists representing different organisations including print and electronic media waited for hours together to reach no man's land where the pleasantries between the officials of the two paramilitary forces had to take place. The confusion over who is and who is not ...   READ MORE   In 2010, Rajouri kids await 2008 nutrition Anganwadi centres allegedly feeding children only on official records 6/25/2010 12:12:24 AM EARLY TIMES REPORT RAJOURI, June 24: IT may sound incredible. But it is true. Thousands of kids enrolled in various Anganwadi Centres in border district of Rajouri are still waiting for nutrition supply sanctioned in 2008. Courtesy: The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) has yet to supply quota of 2008 ration to these centres. This has also put a question mark on the tall claims of Child Development Child Development Project officials which show regular supply of nutrition in the official records. Sources said that Child Development Project, Rajouri has not received 1386 quintal of ration meant for 2008 year even after two years of long wait. Sources said t...   READ MORE   Private tankers cash in on water scarcity Take Jammuites to hostage as they charge upto Rs 1000 per tanker 6/25/2010 12:12:13 AM ARTEEV SHARMA EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 24: Even as people in winter capital have been reeling under acute shortage of potable water, private water tankers not only charge at their 'will' for water they supply but have created a virtual monopoly keeping at bay 'outsiders' from Company Bagh filling station adjoining to Maulana Azad stadium. Surprisingly, their 'control' on filling station resulted into some people digging up 'illegal' tube wells in Talab Tillo, Sidhra, Sainik Colony, Udhaywala and Greater Kailash colonies without seeking permission from the administration, which appears to be in deep slumber. Sources informed that private water tankers have created a monopoly at t...   READ MORE   Gross Discrimination with Jammu: NC playing shots, Congress helpless 6/25/2010 12:12:00 AM RUSTAM EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 24: The Omar Abdullah-led government is perpetrating injustice after injustice on the already rather marginalized and discriminated people of Jammu province, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs included. It appears that Omar Abdullah has handed down to the state a government that is of the people of Kashmir, by the people of Kashmir and for the people of Kashmir. It was expected that the Jammu-based Congress ministers and leaders would put their foot down and ensure equal treatment to Jammu province in all spheres and at levels, but it has not happened. They have left everything to the care of Omar Abdullah, notwithstanding the fact that their core constituenc...   READ MORE   HM's surrender programme evokes good response 6/25/2010 12:11:00 AM EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 24: The opposition of the United Jihad Council (UJC) , an amalgam of militant outfits operating from Pakistan administered Kashmir notwithstanding, the Union Home Ministry's `surrender programme' has evoked good response from Kashmiri youth on the other side of the LoC. According to reliable sources, ten youth have so far availed the `benefits' of the policy and returned home. When two youth returned two months ago, people in large numbers came out to greet them in their native town Pattan. For several days people from the adjoining villages called on them to know about their welfare. Their relatives feared for their lives but now everything seems alrig...   READ MORE   LoC trade has gone upto Rs 250 crore 6/25/2010 12:10:50 AM BARAMULLA: The Line of Control (LoC) trade between Salamabad Uri and Chakoti Muzaffarabad has gone upto Rs. 250 crore so far since its inception. During the period 242 consignments stand exported and imported from both the sides. This was disclosed by the trade custodian at Salamabad Uri today when Red Chilli and dry coconut worth Rs. 2.56 crore were exported through 87 trucks while as carpets, chappals and dry fruits with a cost of Rs 4.52 crore were imported through 41 trucks. ...   READ MORE   BAJ to suspend work for two more days 6/25/2010 12:10:41 AM JAMMU: Jammu Bar Association today decided that BAJ will further suspend work for two days from tomorrow to press its demand for extending summer vacations in District Courts from two weeks to three weeks at par with summer vacations in High Courts. According to general secretary, BAJ Advocate, Rajesh Thappa that high court is having vacations 10 weeks each year. There were only two week's holidays in Trial Court; a request sent to High Court has not been decided so far. Meanwhile, BAJ also appealed the other Bar Association to suspend work to press for this legitimate demand. According to the General Secretary, BAJ, as per the call work shall remain suspended in all Bar Association of J...   READ MORE   IED defused in Kishtwar 6/25/2010 12:10:34 AM JAMMU: A live improvised explosive device (IED) was defused by CISF personnel on the Kishtwar-Hunjala road this morning. Police sources said CISF personnel were carrying out routine searches on the Kishtwar-Hunjala road when they came across a live IED. The IED was later defused by the jawans, the sources added. Sources said had the IED exploded it could have caused extensive damage to life and property of the people. ...   READ MORE   Kashmir shutdown on 1,562 days in 20 years While losing Rs 100 Cr on each day of shutdown, J&K has suffered loss of Rs 150,000 Cr 6/24/2010 10:27:04 AM KASHMIR SHUTDOWNS---1 Ahmed Ali Fayyaz SRINAGAR, Jun 23: Thanks to the Valley’s militant outfits and separatist organizations, who have enforced 1,562 days of shutdown in the last 20 years of the secessionist movement, Jammu & Kashmir state has suffered loss of over Rs 150,000 Crore. Government’s contribution is also substantial as the state has additionally suffered loss of Rs 15,000 Crore on account of curfew on 150 days during same period of the political turmoil. J&K state’s economy is estimated to have suffered loss of around Rs 200,000 Crore during 20 years of the separatist movement. This includes infrastructure destroyed by militants and security forces besides illegal felli...   READ MORE   Information Department at 'beck and call' of Union ministries? Farooq gets publicity of Manila visit for his ministry 6/24/2010 10:25:53 AM Early Times Report Jammu, June 23: J&K government's Information Department is at beck and call of all in the heirarchy of coalition government,giving them wide publicity, invariably unwarranted and uncalled for. For the events they cover with cabinet ministers and their juniors are at times too insignificant to give gala coverage.As if this tendency was not enough, the Department has been toned up, rather has become subservient for coverage of even Union ministers belonging to two alliance partners, all thanks to the high ranked officials of the Department who are doing this job quite 'obediently'. There have been instances galore to substantiate this, whether it is the Union Health Mi...   READ MORE   BOSE extends ‘flexibility’ to Kashmir ETT candidates 6/24/2010 10:23:22 AM EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 23: In a display of blatant favouritism, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) gave approval to admissions of 670 Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) candidates belonging to 11 colleges from Kashmir division, just 13 days before the commencement of their examination. Astonishingly, the candidates also appeared in the examination held on June 21 which was completely in violation of norms. Sources said that there should be at least 188 days teaching academic calendar for every candidate to appear in exams. As per the notification issued by the Board authorities on June 8, the candidates of eleven ETT colleges from Kashmir division were asked...   READ MORE   High percentage charged in canteens Soliders get raw deal from J&K on VAT 6/24/2010 10:22:25 AM Kunal Shrivatsa EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 23: It may sound strange but it is true that the state, from where a very high percentage of aspirants including men and women every year vie to don the colours of olive green, seems to have no regard for their passion to serve the motherland. Going by the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime in the state it holds true that serving as well as retired soldiers here are being treated just as any other ordinary citizen. Though the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) of Indian Army are exempted from VAT in several states of the country and in others a nominal 4 percent is imposed but here in J&K it is charged at the rate of staggering 13.5 ...   READ MORE   Bandh, Bandh, Bandh: Kashmiris fed up with the bandh culture 6/24/2010 10:21:49 AM RUSTAM EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 23: The immediate fallout of the shutdown always is the closure of business establishments and educational institutions, disruption in all the economic activities and transport service and a very thin attendance in the government and semi-government establishments. The government activities also come to a grinding halt. The common people suffer in the process. They face the difficulties. And, if the disgruntled and frustrated separatists give a shutdown call when the tourist season is on, the immediate result - apart from what has been referred to above - is harassment and inconvenience to the tourists. The hoteliers; the restaurant, tea stall and...   READ MORE   Police accused of trying to hush up case 6/24/2010 10:21:30 AM EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 23: Already under severe criticism for mishandling the June 11 Shalin abduction and murder case, police were today accused of trying to hush up the case to shield the accused. The apprehensions in this regard were made by none else than Shalin's father Naresh Gupta in an interaction with scribes who visited his residence at Nai Basti today. He alleged that the civil and police administration was trying to hush up the case under political influencne. Naresh said the government had ordered the transfer of DSP (Gandhinagar) Kulwant Jasrotia at a time when he was close to unravel the mystery behind his son's abduction and murder for a ransom of Rs 10 lakh. ...   READ MORE   Students find hard to fill Shalin’s loss 6/24/2010 10:21:13 AM EARLY TIMES REPORT JAMMU, June 23: Unlike the moments of happiness and reunion excitement after vacations the students of Air Force School Satwari today met on a solemn and somber note. The School reopened today after summer vacation only to mourn on the first day the sad and brutal killing of its student Shaleen Gupta of Class 5th. Shocked and awe-struck, both students as well as the teachers felt frightened even to discuss the horrifying incident that snatched one of the students of this school recently. Perturbed and aghast in particular were the students of the fifth standard who felt a vacuum of Shaleen in the class. "I can't believe this that my friend Shaleen is no more i...   READ MORE   RDD JE caught accepting bribe 6/24/2010 10:20:55 AM JAMMU: A junior engineer (JE) of rural development department (RDD) was today caught by state vigilance organisation (SV) while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000. The JE, whom SVO sources identified as Ishpal Singh of Beerwah, Kashmir, was at present posted at Budgam. At present, he was putting up at Alochabagh. A written complaint was made against Ishpal with SVO by Mohammad Yousaf Wani, a contractor, of Piamus, Budgam, in which he alleged that the JE was demanding a bribe of Rs 1,000 from him for finalising a bill on account of construction of Siakokber Kol done by him under NREGS. Acting on the complaint, SVO sleuths laid a trap and held the JE while demanding and acceptin...   READ MORE   Colonel Killed in Encounter 6/24/2010 10:20:42 AM SRINAGAR: An Army Colonel, hailing from Delhi, was killed in an encounter with terrorists while carrying out counter- insurgency operations in Kuligam area in Kupwara district in Kashmir. Colonel Neeraj Sood was the commanding officer of the 18 Rashtriya Rifles battalion there.The unit had laid two ambushes in the area in early hours of Tuesday night and one of them made contact with militants, an Army statement said. "On getting information about the encounter, Col Sood, along with his Quick Reaction Team, being at the Company Operating Base, rushed to the site. In the ensuing firefight, the officer sustained a gun shot wound on his head and succumbed to his injuries," it said. Army ...   READ MORE   Fate on Guru's mercy petition to be decided shortly 6/24/2010 10:18:46 AM Early Times Report Jammu, June 23 : Will the President of India reject or accept the mercy petition filed by Tabusum,wife of Afzal Guru,who has been sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on charge of his involvement in the terrorist attack on the Parliament house on December 13,2001 in which over four security personnel were killed ?This is a million dollar question because of pressure being mounted on the Congress led Government in the centre, one demanding immediate execution of the death sentence and the others favouring life imprisonment.Since the President of India has not yet received any recommendation from the central Government the mercy petition has been hanging fire in the ...   READ MORE   Delhi takes to out of box diplomacy 6/24/2010 10:18:28 AM ABID SHAH Early Times Report NEW DELHI, June 23: Faced with increased US involvement in affairs nearer home, India has of late started asserting for its rights more resolutely before the West. Indications to this have not only been coming through the Government moves after an American corporation got virtually scot-free after 25 years of litigation starting off with Bhopal gas tragedy but also by certain other gestures emanating from New Delhi. The most significant among these is the homage that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has paid to 329 victims of the crash of Air India Flight No.182 who lost their lives in the tragedy that occurred 25 years ago on this day -- June 23 -- in 1985 an...   READ MORE

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RPPWA urges for reforms in police dept CPO placed Incharge Deputy Director LMD imposes fine of Rs 6500 HC directs BOPEE to allow petitioner in CET Hiranagar roads give a bumpy ride BJYM opposes entry tax for Amarnath pilgrims Pratham Darshan Pooja on June 26 Omar's incompetence squeezes political space: Mehbooba APMCC resorts to annual Gangbal Yatra Power crisis likely to end in next 7 yrs 3 suspected LeT militants arrested Cancer check up camp organised Restriction imposed around the examination Centers Aspirants outnumber available seats in Degree colleges Bootlegger arrested Rally highlights ill effects of drugs Saroori releases Rs 1 crore for the project Godher Khalsa still lives bullock cart age HC awards life imprisonment in murder case End atmosphere of animosity: Bhushan Bazaz CM should intervene in migrant posts matter WWAO organizes ‘Rutt-Rahade’ RS Pura SDH ailing from staff deficiency Madan Lal hails India, Pak for Chamliyal mela Provide transport facilities to pilgrims KHC expresses surprise over returns of KPs to valley Withdraw support to Omar, Bhim tells Sonia Geelani's fresh shutdown calendar Jaswant's reentry in BJP a good omen for Indo-Pak talks Avoid choking channels of dialogue Bone Mass Density Camp organised Valleyites pay tributes to Shyama Prasad Supply ration as per fixed scale: Akhoon Life returns to normal in Kashmir after two days strike Union Secy visits Kulgam tribal areas Guv visiting Amarnath Cave Shrine this week Pandits demand reconstruction of Hindu temples Indian Red Cross Society meet convened at Doda PDP lashes out at NC Madan Lal's utterances embarrass J&K coalition Dismal functioning of BSNL adds to woes of consumers Minister's 'influence' diverted flight Minister's 'influence' diverted flight 11 JEs of PDD draw salary without attending duty Harsh for adequate, prompt supply of ration, k-oil Mendhar villages reeling under water shortage Chief patron J&K Pensioners association celebrates 95th birthday Child murder: Statements of witnesses recorded Sex Racket: Challan presented   READ MORE THIS SECTION

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Council staff `surrenders', striker deferred 1st Police Martyrs Memorial tournament from June 25 Punjab wrestler Gurvinder bags Fadya Kesari title KCCC enters final of JKCA Premier League Terrorism, Kashmir figure in Ist Indo-Pak talks after 26/11 Family, friends bid tearful adieu to Col Sood   READ MORE THIS SECTION

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