TOP STORY OF THE DAY |
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| Loot in name of eco-tourism: PCCF, ex-Wildlife chief in soup | | | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: Ex-Chief Wildlife Warden and two Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWWs) are in deep trouble as eco-tourism projects have failed to catch eye of the tourists across the state.
According to well placed sources, these three officers in league with some lower rung officials expended funds worth crores of rupees on Markhor Recovery Program as well as on Eco-tourism projects without keeping the provision of revenue realization in their programs and plans.
Sources said that a team of officials of the Forest Department has found out that the three officials as heads of the Wildlife Department spent crores of rupees by carrying out constructions on the name of Eco-Tourism in Mansar, Surinsar, Rajouri, Poonch, Sudh Mahadev, Peer Kee Gali and other spots on the Mughal Road, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and other areas across the state. They spent a huge amount out of Rs.10.7 crore meant for Markhor Recovery Project with no signs of any preservation work done anywhere in the Heerpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to sources in the Wildlife Department, an amo... | |
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FRONT PAGE STORIES |
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| 'Stopgap' arrangement finally ends for BJP's highest post | | Saffron party's J&K unit to get new chief on Dec 20 | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: After a delay of one month, the State BJP's unit is all set to have new president on December 20. Even as there are three contenders in race to wear this crown, the task and assignment is not going to be on proverbial lines of 'bed of roses' for the new chief.
Ensuing Local Bodies elections followed by Panchayat polls would be the litmus test for capability and capacity of the new president to deliver, no matter BJP is ruling ally in the Government. Formal election of the new president on Sunday would relieve the incumbent chief Jugal Kishore of this crucial responsibility, though he had virtually called it quits much earlier.
Consistent and conspicuous... | |
| | | | MLA instigating BJP cadre against local RSS leadership | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: A BJP legislator, who was hand-picked by party organisation secretary and made member of the Legislative Council, has been fuelling factionalism in the state unit of the party.
Credible sources in the BJP said that this MLC in every public function is asking people that there is no need to pay any regard to the present state leadership of the RSS and BJP. He is openly suggesting them either central leadership of RSS or all powerful party organization secretary are the deciding factor so approaching local RSS leaders or local BJP leaders is just wastage of time. This MLC is these days arranging meeting of some controversial bureaucrats with ministers and o... | |
| | | | One hospital enough to belie Govt claims | | | |
Peerzada Ummer
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Dec 18: Amid tall claims of the state health ministry of making JK a better place for public healthcare, the maternity patients at SK Institute of Medical Science Medical College in Bemina, Srinagar bely these assertions.
While entering the hospital, one becomes familiar with the worsening health scenario of the state with pregnant women being made to suffer .
The scenes also go contrary to the much hyped hospital visits of the incumbent health minister who amid much fanfare has been claiming to transform the health sector of the state.
Inside the hospital, one would find three ladies sharing one bed. Due to lack of infrastructure, many... | |
| | | | Minister's 'meaningless' governance talk | | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 18: A senior minister today talked about decentralisation of powers in the state. He was referring to the forthcoming local body polls which the government intends to hold shortly.
He said it has been the endeavor to involve the people at grass-root level in policy formulation, implementation and day to day governance which forms the basis of any democratic setup.
For the information of the minister, there are no takers for such sugar coated pills. The Panchayati elections were held in the state during he NC led government. Some precious lives were lost but the panchayat members never got the powers they needed to take democracy to the grass root level.... | |
| | | | Has New Delhi given veto power to separatists? | | Army on Bajpathri, CRPF on Kawdara camp | | | ET Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: The BJP Government at the Centre has, it seems, given veto power to separatists and their supporters as far as the presence of the Army and the CRPF in Kashmir is concerned.
It was evident from the two serious developments which took place in Kashmir on Thursday. One was the announcement by the Army that it could reconsider its decision on Bajpathri as firing range. The other was the announcement by the CRPF that it has decided to close down its camp in Kawdara in the downtown area of Srinagar.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Army's Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt General Satish Dua on Wednesday sa... | |
| | | | Govt helpless before land mafia? | | | | Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Dec 18: Over the last two decades the increasing land prices across the state have astonished common people. The land prices have surged since the day state government identified land for the construction of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in South Kashmir's Awantipora, about 30 km from summer capital Srinagar.
Is the state authority paving way for the land sharks to push for sky rocketing prices? The land rates have increased drastically in Awantipora after the government announced state owned land for the establishment of AIIMS.
Notably, the land sharks alone cannot increase land prices without a go ahead from state revenu... | |
| | | | PHQ has no say in transfers of police officers | | Govt gives a hoot to its proposals | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: The J&K Police Headquarters (PHQ), it is felt, does not command much respect in the corridors of power now-a-days. It has no say in transfers of police officers and the government is said to be giving a hoot to its proposals.
"The government is not consulting PHQ while effecting transfers of senior police officers. Even the proposals sent by it to the Home Department in this regard are not being given any weightage," police sources said.
Earlier, the government used to order reshuffle of police officers on the basis of the PHQ proposals, but it was not doing so now for "unknown" reasons, the sources added.
Even the police officers, who in police files d... | |
| | | | Talks or no talks, Pak in constant touch with Hurriyat | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: "All the bilateral issues are to be addressed mutually between India and Pakistan and this was recently reiterated in a joint statement issued after the External Affairs Minister's meeting with the Pakistan Prime Minister and his Foreign Affairs Advisor in Islamabad," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday.
He also added that Hurriyat leadership had no say whatever in the talks between the two countries. Vikas Swarup responded when asked "if Pakistani delegation again met Hurriyat separatists or the Kashmiri separatist leaders tried to meet them here".
Last August, the NSA-level talks were called off after New Delhi made it... | |
| | | | While Jammuites wait for months, CAPD provides ration at doorstep of Secretariat employees | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department has allegedly adopted a dual yardstick in distribution of ration, as on one hand department has left Jammuites waiting for ration supply for months together but on the other hand ration at doorsteps has been provided to Secretariat employees.
Locals of Panjthirthi area informed Early Times that on Thursday morning ration laden truck of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department reached at Ahata Poonch House to distribute ration among the move employees of Secretariat, who are presently stationed in Jammu.
They further said that for the last many months Jammuites have not got s... | |
| | | | Mufti pitches for developing Suchetgarh-Sialkote point on Wagah pattern | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today advocated for developing Suchetgarh-Sialkote route on Punjab-based Wagah pattern to boost border tourism.
"We first want this Suchetgarh point to be developed as independent tourist destination on the pattern of Wagah border in Punjab," Mufti told reporters during his visit to Octroi Post in bordering R S Pura Sector here.
He, however, also hinted at making this point to facilitate trade between India and Pakistan.
... | |
| | | | Udhampur stadium becomes safe haven for gamblers, addicts | | |  Ashwani Sharma
Early Times Report
Udhampur, Dec 18: The under-construction Indoor Multipurpose Hall at Subash Stadium Udhampur has become a safe haven for lovebirds, gamblers, addicts and other wrong elements.
It is pertinent to mention here that this block of the Stadium was inaugurated by ex-Health and Youth Services and Sports Minister, Taj Mohi-ud-Din when its foundation stone was laid in the presence of ex-MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia on Nov. 16, 2013.
According to sources three year h... | |
| | | | In fight of 2 property dealers, SHO gains | | Typical two cats & a monkey story | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 18: It is rightly said 'when you quarrel someone else gains'. In the fight between two property dealers, the SHO of a rural police station here is alleged to have extracted money from both of them in the typical 'two cats and a monkey story'.
In the 'two cats and a monkey story', the cats had found a piece of cheese while prowling together and cut it into two pieces. Since one piece was slightly bigger than the other, both wanted to have it. To sort out the matter, they approached a monkey who acted very cleverly and gobbled up both the pieces. In the same way, when the two property dealers approached the SHO to sort out the matter, he further complicated it ... | |
| | | | BJP mum, file gathering dust | | Declaring Oct 26 as State Holiday | | | Peerzada Ummer
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 18: The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir has invited trouble for itself in the state over the demand of declaring October 26, celebrated as 'Accession Day', a State Government holiday. Sources told Early Times that the file pertaining to the subject has been gathering dust from the past two months and the non- serious approach by some BJP leaders are proving counter productive to the party itself in the state.
Sources revealed that there has been no serious discussion demanded by the BJP leadership over the issue of declaring October 26 as the state holiday due to which there has been no breakthrough into the matter.
The BJP leadership not pu... | |
| | | | Inspectors of 2 departments get different salaries | | | | G S Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 18: One hand Union government had provided 'One Rank One Pension' pay scale to all retired armed forced employees, and on other hand BJP-PDP led coalition government in state of Jammu and Kashmir has seem committed to make a gap between in two same posts.
Source informed Early Times that however, the post of Sub-Inspector in Excise and Commercial Taxes (E&CT) department and inspector in Police department both have at same post but unfortunately the Sub Inspector in E&CT department has been getting pay scale as equal to constable of the Police department.
Source further said that the pay scale of Inspector, Sub inspector, Head guard/ Armed, ... | |
| | | | Sagar rejects allegations of promoting VLWs on fake documents | | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 18: Rejecting the allegations that previous government has promoted 23 senior village Level Workers (VLWs) as in charge Block Development Officers( BDO's) on fake documents in the rural development Department, Senior NC leader and former Rural Development Minister Ali Mohmad Sagar Friday said that whatever we did, we have done it in a transparent manner.
"It is wrong to say that our government has given promotions on fake documents. We have not done anything wrong. Being a Rural Development Minister I always ensure transparency. On the issue of any promotions we always follow the set procedure including the seniority of the officials,"... | |
| | | | Ill-planning encourages dwellers to vandalise Dal lake | | | | Javaid Naikoo
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 18: Ill-planned policies of state government encourage Dal dwellers to encroach on the lake. Even after ten years of earmarking 'Rakh-e-Arth' a place in outskirts of Srinagar for Rehabilitation of Dal-dwellers, government is yet to relocate a population of 1 Lakh, 20,000 people living within Dal Lake.
As per details, in 2006, the Government transferred around 7526 kanals of land in Rakh-e-Arth to LAWDA for rehabilitation and resettlement of Dal-dwellers, however, the development of Rakh-e-Arth as a replacement venue for Dal-dwellers could not take off as a community that cultivated the land demanded compensation.
Later the High Court d... | |
| | | | Sec 144 to continue in Katra till tension subsides | | | | Shiv Dev Thakur
Early Times Report
KATRA, Dec 18: Restrictions under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc) imposed in Katra, base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi Cave shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in view of the protests by labourers and porters against opening up of the new battery car track to the pilgrimage may be continued till the things get normal, official sources said.
According to sources though the normal activities in holy town Katra are normal on the third consecutive day of restrictions but the authorities still are apprehensive that the agitators may take advantage of the rush of pilgrims and visitors to the holy town - the base camp of Cave shrine o... | |
| | | | Regularize daily wagers, release 6% DA, revoke ban on private tuition: EJAC to Govt | | | |
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 18: Employees' Joint Action Committee (EJAC) president and JCC leader Abdul Qayoom Wani Friday urged the government to regularize temporary employees and daily wagers, and release 6 % DA in favour of employees and pensioners.
The leader also appealed government to revoke ban on the private tuition.
While criticizing the Government for not resolving the pending issues of the employees Wani told early times that exploitation of daily wagers and casual labours was an act of sheer human rights violation and violation of Labour Laws. "Government should formulate a strategy on war footing to get the long pending demands solved at an earl... | |
| | | | GDC Srinagar again in news for wrong reasons | | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 18: Government Dental College and hospital (GDC) continues to be in news for wrong reasons.
As per reliable information available with Early Times as many as ten dental surgeons who actually are the employees of Directorate of Health Kashmir are attached with Government Dental College and hospital (GDC) Srinagar from the last many years.
The Principal Govt Dental College Srinagar has ostensibly retained a dozen of his favorite dental surgeons who were deputed to Govt Dental College Srinagar many years ago, beyond their limit of positing, which is in utter contravention to various notifications of administrative department of Health and Medical Educa... | |
| | | | Hotelier caught discharging sewage in Lidder; PDA, Police, Fisheries department reluctant to take action | | | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, Dec 18: Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pahalgam on Thursday seized at least one dozen pipes from Kolahoi Green Resorts Pahalgam being used by the Influential hotelier to discharge sewage of his hotel in river Lidder in blatant violations of law.
According to official reports, SDM Pahalgam Nisar Ahmad Nissar paid a surprise visit at hotel after receiving complaints that the hotelier is directly discharging sewage of his hotel in river Lidder. During the surprise check, SDM found pipeline and directed police and PDA employees to remove the pipes. Photographs in possession of early Times show employees loading pipes in vehicle outside Kolahoi ... | |
| | | | Construction company denies job to locals, protest held | | | | MS Nazki
Early Times Report
Poonch, Dec 18: Local unemployed youth of Daraba staged protest demonstration against M/s Pateel Construction Company for not providing employment to them in the ongoing works of the Parnai Hydel Project Daraba in Surankote here today alleging that company has been giving preference to outsiders where as local youth of the area were ignored.
Sources said that a strong protest was staged by local youth against the construction company who denied employment to them while as they were promised to provide job when their land was used for the project. "Even Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed promised us that Job in the construction work will be provided to local yo... | |
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