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J&K Govt comes out of hiding, begins 'clumsy' image repair After 8 days of flood-fury! 9/16/2014 12:06:28 AM Syed Junaid Hashmi JAMMU, Sept 15: Exactly after 8 days of submergence of Srinagar and other parts of Valley apart from devastation in almost all districts of Jammu region, State Government has come out of hiding only to start what is being termed as clumsy image repair. Government has returned to the Civil Secretariat and Babus are back on job. Though Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was visible in the Sate as well as Army aircraft besides being on various national television channels, his entire Cabinet alongwith bureaucrats and police officers had gone missing with none traceable. Since the internet and mobile services were down, tracing the sate government had become extremely difficult. Some fortunate ones saw some signs of the government either at the technical airport or Srinagar International Airport. As soon as the water level began receding, signs of government began re-emerging with Chief Secretary Iqbal Khanday issuing a government directing the government officials to report back on duties immediately. This order created a furore with delinquent officials knocking at th...   READ MORE

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Omar, Azad at daggers drawn Relief, rescue work 9/16/2014 12:06:11 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Sept 15: Under attack NC leader and beleaguered Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is furious. What has upset and angered him all the more is the charge that the relief and rescue teams in the marooned Kashmir valley are discriminating between VIPs and common Kashmiris. It was none other than senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, who two days ago launched a blistering attack on those involved in the relief and rescue operations in the flood-ravaged Kashmir valley, particularly Srinagar, saying they were discriminating between the VIPs and common Kashmiris. He had even questioned the role of the Army and it was a complete U-turn...   READ MORE   DC Ganderbal was first to escape from flooded valley, alleges NC leader 9/16/2014 12:05:56 AM Sumit Sharma Jammu, Sept 15: Citing the example of failure on the part of the administration in Srinagar, NC leader Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar today alleged that it was Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, who first left his people on the mercy of Almighty and left for Jammu along with his family members when flash flood ravaged Srinagar. Jabbar, a senior leader from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's constituency, said that Ganderbal, which is a 'bowl of fruits' in the valley, was badly hit by the flash floods. The economy of the whole district, which now had huge silt deposits, was also badly affected, he added. Meanwhile condemning the act of the official caretaker for 'leaving the ship in distress'...   READ MORE   Don't focus relief ops on Srinagar alone, says SC 9/15/2014 11:52:47 PM Early Times Report NEW DELHI, Sept 15: The Supreme Court today asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government not to restrict its focus to Srinagar in the rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas, saying the condition in some other districts is "worse". It said the authorities must ensure that necessary supplies reach the last of the flood-hit victims with emphasis on their rehabilitation. A bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha reiterated that it was not treating the matter as adversarial litigation but said the type of focus Centre has given to Srinagar did not appear to have reached other flood-affected districts like Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Baramulla...   READ MORE   Records, Books washed away; flood affected camping within school premises Tara Chand unmoved as several schools still defunct 9/15/2014 11:52:38 PM Bivek Mathur JAMMU, Sept 15: Complete administrative failure in Jammu province to effectively respond to the situations that has arisen after the worst ever flash floods could be gauged from the fact that the Deputy Chief Minister-Tara Chand who is holding the charge of School Education is till date unaware of the fact that over 250 children within a distance of few miles from the Jammu city are not able to attend the schools. As the school books, libraries with official records have been washed away in various schools constructed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Surechack area in Zone Satwari and other schools in Kulliyan in Suchetgarh constituency currently represented by BJP ML...   READ MORE   Why is Akbar Lone silent over college lecturers' overstay? 51 out of 101 chemistry lecturers continue to hold choice postings 9/15/2014 11:52:21 PM Akshay Azad JAMMU, Sept 15: Higher Education Minister Akbar Lone has surprisingly been silent over the issue of overstay of lecturers in different colleges here. As 51 out of 101 lecturers continue to hold choice postings for the past over a decade, this strengthens the allegations that a "transfer" industry had taken roots in the Higher Education Department. According to list furnished by Higher Education Department, Suchitra Saproo posted at WC Gandhi Nagar and Jasbir Singh, presently posted as GDC Poonch, have been staying in Jammu city and Poonch city respectively for the last 17 years, while Suresh Kumar presently posted at GGM Science college, has been staying in Jammu city for the ...   READ MORE   Govt's 'listen to your conscience' rhetoric draws flak 'Our bosses unaware about ground realities' 9/15/2014 11:52:08 PM Fazal Khan SRINAGAR, Sept 15: A day after government asked its employees in Kashmir to listen to their conscience and join duties the marooned employees today reacted sharply saying, "Our bosses are unaware about the ground situation as they are staying in five star hotels." Talking to Early Times Shahid Ahmed of Jawahar Nagar said, "We have lost everything. We are wearing borrowed clothes and are surviving on relief donated by the people. How can we join the duties?" A group of second rung employees alleged that top officials of the state government are staying at Grand Palace and are "enjoying life". "They are unaware about the tragedy that has hit the common people. Had our bosse...   READ MORE   Omar failed not just by his Ministers and Officers, but his party as well! Where is NC's youth wing? 9/15/2014 11:51:52 PM Abodh Sharma JAMMU, Sept 15: Facing public fury for the failure of his Government to respond to the recent catastrophe particularly in the Valley, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was deserted by not only his Ministerial colleagues, party MLAs and officers of his administration, but also by his own party, which boasts of being the biggest cadre based party of the state. The conspicuous absence of the National Conference cadre and more pertinently its youth and students wings in the rescue operations is disheartening and disappointing, especially at a time when the youth wings of national parties like Congress and BJP are participating pro actively in the rescue and relief operations underway ...   READ MORE   Governor's rule appears inevitable in J&K Calling the bluff 9/15/2014 11:51:33 PM Rustam JAMMU, Sept 15: Governor's rule in the flood-ravaged Jammu & Kashmir appears almost inevitable, as it would be impossible for the Election Commission to hold elections in the state in November-December. Elections could be held either in spring or early summer next year. Things might settle to an extent by then. Elections in the state are held at regular intervals. It was only once when the state remained without a popularly-elected government for more than a year. Between January 1990 and October 1996, the state remained under Governor's/President's rule. Yes, there used to be complaints for some time that certain political forces subverted the electoral processes by taking recourse...   READ MORE   Over 2.26 lakh people rescued in flood-hit J&K so far 9/15/2014 11:51:17 PM Early Times Report JAMMU, Sept 15: Over 2.26 lakh people have been rescued in Jammu and Kashmir so far as the rescue and relief operations in the flood-ravaged state entered 14th day today. "Armed Forces and NDRF have so far rescued over 2,26,000 persons from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the ongoing rescue and relief operations," Defence spokesperson Col S D Goswami said today. Of these, 1.40 lakh people have been rescued by Army alone as the rescue and relief operations have entered 14th day, Goswami said. Armed Forces had launched Mission Rahat in Jammu region while in Kashmir region Mission Sahayata was launched for rescue and relief operations. Eighty transport aircraf...   READ MORE   Female employees in Civil Secretariat looted, being operated in Jammu Hospitals Employees term Govt call to join duties as horrendous 9/15/2014 11:51:09 PM Sumit Sharma JAMMU, Sept 15: Resentment brewed among the government employees, especially, those posted in the Civil Secretariat in summer capital of the Jammu and Kashmir following the government order to stick to their duties back in Srinagar as those who have reached Jammu from flood ravaged Srinagar had horrible experience over there. Some of them have been admitted in the Gandhi Nagar hospital for treatment while some are being operated in psychiatric hospital, Ambphalla. As per sad tale of the Jammu based government employees, they remained on fourth floor of the Estate Department flats, situated opposite, Kashmir High Court, for six days without having food and water. The group of...   READ MORE   J&K Floods: Army refutes charges of discrimination as 'malicious' 9/15/2014 11:50:54 PM Early Times Report UDHAMPUR, Sept 15: Refuting charges as "malicious and insidious" that preference was being given to tourists and out of state residents in their rescue efforts, Army today said it is committed to the task at hand and does not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, creed or region. "Northern Command categorically refutes these charges as malicious and insidious (that Army in their rescue efforts, has been giving preference to tourists and out of state residents)," a senior Army officer said here. Over the last few days, some individuals have been spreading the such rumours, he said. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Army has launched spontaneous rescue operations as t...   READ MORE   Is it personal attack on IGP Security? 9/15/2014 11:50:46 PM Early Times Report Jammu, Sept 15: The attachment of the senior police officer namely Sunil Sharma, IGP Security, has been termed as personal attack on the dignity of the police officer and people of Jammu as well as his attachment is being attributed to government's callous attitude towards its employees. The attachment to PHQ came to fore when he had come to Jammu to attend court hearing in PIL titled Sumit Nayyar and Others v/s State of J&K. If a senior police officer is to be believed, the said police officer had left the valley with proper permission from his higher officers for attending the High Court proceedings. The compliance report was filed on 9.9.2014.The matter was l...   READ MORE   32 Ayurvedic dispensaries running in rented buildings in Udhampur, Reasi All facing acute dearth of staff 9/15/2014 11:05:53 PM Bijay Charak Jammu, Sept 15: Even after 25 years these were opened, 32 Ayurvedic dispensaries continue to run in rented buildings in Udhampur and Reasi districts. 27 posts of Medical officer (MO) are also vacant there. Sources in Health and Medical Education department informed Early Times that in 1988, Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM/AYUSH) Jammu and Kashmir was created and state government established 47 dispensaries in Udhampur. Around 25 years have passed but 32 Ayurvedic dispensaries in the twin districts continue to operate from single rooms in private buildings. "The sanctioned strength of Medical Officers in 47 dispensaries is 43, but surprising 16 are in positio...   READ MORE   Leh DM confirms incursions by Chinese into Indian territory 9/15/2014 11:03:10 PM Leh, Sept 15: The District Magistrate of Leh, Simrandeep Singh Gill, on Monday confirmed reports of Chinese incursions into Indian territory. "It's been a week that China is protesting against one NREGA irrigation canal being constructed in Demchok," Gill said. "For the past week, the Chinese Army is facing off our army, their civilians are facing off our civilians. This time Chinese civilians have come to oppose the work on the dam and are showing us banners. Situation remains tense," Gill added. Last week, there were reports that some Chinese troops intruded 500 meters deep into Indian territory and put up tents, thereby, escalating tensions ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's up...   READ MORE   Europe-style union only solution to problem J&K an artificially-constructed entity, says Karan Singh 9/15/2014 11:02:56 PM Neha JAMMU, Sept 15: Senior Congress leader and former Sadar-e-Riyasat Karan Singh agrees with the suggestion that Jammu&)Kashmir is essentially an artificially-constructed entity. He tells senior columnist Francois Gautier that "It (J&K) is the exact replica of what was Tito's Yugoslavia before it was broken in parts, or the Austrian empire, which was an amalgam of different States. All empires are artificial. Look at the one Alexander created, or Ashoka's empire, or Charlemagne's… Often, they are also governed by non-local rulers. Even my family was non-Kashmiri". To make his point clear, Karan Singh said: "By treaty, conquest, or inter-marriages, they created a State comprised five m...   READ MORE   DB directs Companies, Union of India to file detailed affidavit PIL against exorbitant fares by Airlines 9/15/2014 10:59:13 PM Jammu, Sept 15: In a Public Interest Litigation filed by YV Sharma Ex-President Chamber of Commerce and Baldev Singh Advocate against the problems being faced by the common public because of unaffordable and exorbitant air fares being charged by the different airlines without any capping by the authorities at the helm of affairs. In the PIL, the petitioners saught direction to respondents to submit the details regarding the rationale behind minimum and maximum air-tariff from a passenger traveling by air through different airlines and make them accountable to be more and transparent vis-à-vis their passengers and also seeking capping the minimum as well as maximum air-fare charged by the ...   READ MORE   2 army porters killed, 13 hurt in IED blasts near LoC 9/15/2014 10:59:02 PM M S Nazki MENDHAR, Sept 15: Two powerful IEDs (improvised explosive devices), believed to have been planted by militants, rocked the Line of Control (LoC) at Sonawali Gali near forward Naini post in Mendhar, Poonch, this morning, resulting in the death of two army porters and injuries to at least 13 others, including two BSF personnel. A vehicle of 88 Bn of BSF and another of 15 Mahar Regiment were on way to the forward Naini post when a powerful IED exploded at about 10 am, according to official sources. In this blast, BSF driver Ajay Rabbani and cop Rajesh Kumar sustained critical injuries. The second IED exploded five minutes later when the army vehicle was very close to it, the sou...   READ MORE

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Why no action was taken on J&K Govt's flood report? : Sunita Narain Hafiz Saeed a Pak national, he is free to roam around: Abdul Basit Educational institutions to re-open on Sept 17 in Baramulla Secretariat to restart from Sept 18 in Srinagar Marheen habitants' chain hunger strike continues on fifth day DB directs no construction in Tawi Bed from Nagrota to Phalian Mandal Dewatering operations launched in flooded areas of Srinagar J&K floods: Relief must reach every nook & corner: SC House collapses, 1 killed Closure of national highway cuts off supplies of essentials to Valley Flood Aftermath: Several areas of Budhal still inaccessible Relocation of ammunition dumps, bunkers ordered Weather likely to remain clear: MeT Deptt Indebted to 'Saviour' Army: J&K Flood Victims HC stays enquiry being conducted by SSP Rajouri Court awards 5 year RI to husband for attempt to murder his wife JKNPP demands relief, ration for flood victims of Khour Demanding repairs of hostel NSF stages protest demonstration Suspect arrested from IB ITI trained, CP workers of PHE protest for regularization Rain, flood victims in Udhampur remain unattended J&K floods: Navratra festival to be mute affair this year at Katra GDC Budhal condoles demise of flood victims JKPCC condoles demise of Sawtantar Chopra Div Com reviews rain damages in Doda, Kishtwar Dr Jitendra takes stock of ongoing rescue operation in Reasi DUDA distributes tool kits to 35 beneficiaries DLSA Udhampur core group visits flood hit Panchari Several join BJP Train services partially resume in Kashmir Valley WPRAC urges Union Government to fulfill its commitments Navratra arrangements discussed Hindi Diwas celebrated at Northern Command SDM Ghagwal directs PDD to replace damaged transformer SRMC collects relief material Plus-2 Lecturers seek redressal of their demands YNCET celebrates Engineer's day SRMWC, ISM, PMMMC organize medical camp for flood victims Mula Ram asks big houses to donate liberally Chander Mohan demands ban on construction, repair Congress president constitutes relief committees JKYSAC condemns stone pelting on Army, Air Force by miscreants Several police teams deputed at flood affected areas Epidemic threat looms large over Srinagar City: Hamid Choudhary Govt deploys officers at PRC JK at New Dehli to assist relief measures   READ MORE THIS SECTION

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Vishwa Bharati Public School organizes dance competition JU's students bring laurels Army scouts dazzle in 3rd Ladakh Marathon Hindi fortnight observed at JSS Wrong decisions 'spoil' popular TT game Northern Railways provides free tickets to flood victims of Kashmir   READ MORE THIS SECTION

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