TOP STORY OF THE DAY

15 influential officers lobby hard to get special KAS grade 3/10/2015 12:28:53 AM Asif Iqbal Naik Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: Nearly 15 influential officers, who illegally held the HoD or equivalent level posts in the ousted NC-Congress regime, are lobbying hard to ensure that they get the special KAS grade despite the fact that matter is sub judicious. Sources told Early Times that the seniority issue of KAS officers remained hanging for 6-years as a lobby of these officials ensured that their political bosses don't take any decision over it. "The old agenda was followed in violation of the Supreme Court orders and the selection grade/special scale of KAS was released in favour of those who were not even eligible," sources alleged. In this regard, the Supreme Court had asked the state High Court to dispose of the matter finally within two months and accordingly the case is listed for March 24, 2015, but the government instead of waiting for the court verdict, according to the sources, is in a hurry to release the grade in favour of these "ineligible officers" which could further complicate the issue and shower undue benefit upon those who otherwise h...   READ MORE

FRONT PAGE STORIES

Politically connected Mukhtar-ul-Aziz managed to subvert his removal order from Govt service Revenue Secretariat forced to drop words, sentence of removal from file 3/10/2015 12:28:44 AM Jehangir Rashid Early Times Report SRINAGAR, Mar 9: Patronage and shielding of tainted officers by the political personalities especially those at the helm of affairs has led to doom like situation for the state as corrupt officers continue to enjoy plum postings and people suffering like anything. One such example is that of incumbent Director Information, Mukhtar-ul-Aziz. Mukhtar would have been removed from the government service had the previous state government led by Omar Abdullah heeded to the pleas from one of the government departments in this regard. "During his stint in the Revenue department the present Director Information resorted to loot and plunder. This got noticed by t...   READ MORE   Omar should face trial for 2010 killings, says PDP 3/10/2015 12:28:32 AM Early Times Report SRINAGAR, Mar 9: Reacting to the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's assertions that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed wants the discourse to be about anything but his alliance with BJP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday said National Conference which has been rejected by the people can't live without power. PDP Chief Spokesperson and Education Minister Nayeem Akhtar said 2010 uprising was creation of Omar's inefficiency and callous attitude. "His government killed innocent people. He demonised the whole system and changed the discourse. He demeaned Kashmiris by terming them drug addicts, anti-nationals and stone pelters." "We want to remove that tag. We wan...   READ MORE   'Drug store in J&K flooded with sub-standard medicines' Criminal nexus between Doctors- Pharma companies thriving 3/10/2015 12:28:24 AM Avinash Azad ET Report Jammu, Mar 9: State Drug and Food Control Organization has fallen pathetically short in curbing the penetration of sub-standard drugs in state, as the unholy nexus between some medicos and Pharma companies is threatening the lives of people, especially in the peripheral areas of the state. Experts told Early Times it was mandatory for the pharma companies to get their products certified for quality before introducing it in market, but the rules are being flouted by the companies. "Blame it on the criminal nexus, several pharma companies have introduced their drugs in rural as well as urban areas of the state without getting the mandatory checks and certification"...   READ MORE   After Alam, PDP plans to release Qasim Faktoo 3/10/2015 12:28:13 AM Asif Iqbal Naik Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: Even as the controversy over release of hard core separatist Musarat Alam Butt continues, the government of Jammu and Kashmir headed by Mufti Mohammad Syed has a plan to release Dr. Mohammad Qasim Faktoo who was convicted and awarded life imprisonment by the court for murdering human right activist H N Wanchoo in 1992 and is behind the bars since last over 20 years. The sources informed the Early Times, that PDP government has almost completed all the formalities regarding the release of Dr. Qasim Faktoo and five hundred others presently lodged in various jails across the state. The sources said that after issuing directions to Directo...   READ MORE   Unable to tackle hawkish PDP, BJP acting dovish OFF THE CUFF 3/10/2015 12:28:04 AM Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: The footloose overtures of People Democratic Party in tht state coalition has dwarfed Bhartiya Janta party to mere insignificance. While PDP treads to transcend all critical and sensitive issues of the state by taking decisions unilaterally, the BJP ministers, MoS or even the party cadre seems to be a lost lot. If insiders are to be believed the political grapevine ripens to another surprise in offing from the PDP chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed after his daredevil act of release of 2010 riots and terror mastermind Masrat Alam that has raked up national attention which tagged state BJP as a group of buffoons in the governance."After Alam, now it is ...   READ MORE   Where is DyCM Nirmal Singh? 3/10/2015 12:27:53 AM Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: The BJP top post holder in Mufti government, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh who was continuously putting up a broad smile as he took oath of the office in the PDP-BJP combine now is an ignorant person. Except pasting statements in the media of a strong and stable govt. and vouching for its continuance for full term of six years, Nirmal seems to be oblivious of the dangerous facts taking place in his governance. The act of buffoonery was quite evident on the day one itself in a joint press conference on the day of oath that Nirmal Singh flanked Mufti on the dais while the latter announced his obsession with Pakistan , terrorist and Hurriyat while Nir...   READ MORE   Years on, SIDCO remains soft on defaulters Fails to cancel land allotment of defaulting entrepreneurs 3/10/2015 12:27:44 AM Akshay Azad ET Report Jammu, Mar 9: The softness shown by Jammu and Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation (JKSIDCO) Limited towards defaulting entrepreneurs has been portending towards a big nexus between politicians and retired officials of Corporation, SICOP, Department of Industries and Commerce. As despite the lapse of years together, ranging from two to seven years, since expiry of sizeable time given for entrepreneurs for implementation of their project, the authority has failed to cancel allotment of land given in Industrial Growth Centre Samba, due to reasons best known to them. As per data furnished by JKSIDCO, it has been come to fore that a total of 23 unit holder...   READ MORE   Tara Chand 'ignored' Omar's suggestion to grant mass promotion 3/10/2015 12:27:33 AM Fazal Khan Early Times Report srinagar, Mar 9: The new dispensation led by the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed taking some important decisions soon after assuming office has ended the uncertainty which prevailed during the ousted NC-Cong regime. The Education Minister Naeem Akther took a bold initiative by granting mass promotion to the flood hit students in Kashmir thus paving way for the smooth conduct of 2015 session. The erstwhile regime had kept the decision in abeyance due to which students were in a dilemma and unsure about their future. Pertinently, most schools across Kashmir suffered extensive damage due to September 2014 deluge and are closed since then. The erstwhile...   READ MORE   Health Minister insults senior doctor in Jammu Visits different hospitals reprimands medicos 3/10/2015 12:27:24 AM Bashir Assad Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: Infamously known for misbehaving with doctors and medicos since he took over as the Minister for Health and Medical Education for the first time in 2002, Chaudhry Lal Singh is back with the baggage of insult to the otherwise highly respected fraternity. This time, the first casualty is a senior doctor in the Psychiatric Department at Government Medical College, Jammu. On Monday morning, Dr Gurmeet Kaur was abused and insulted in front of the hospital staff, her seniors and students. Dr Gurmeet Kaur is the Registrar of the Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Jammu. Chaudhry Lal Singh was invited for the inauguration of t...   READ MORE   Mufti could have better started his 'reconciliation agenda' from Jammu Denouncement over Masarat's release 3/10/2015 12:27:14 AM Abodh Sharma Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: While Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's move to release hardliner separatist Masrat Alam who shot into notoriety during the infamous unrest of summer of 2010 has created ripples all across the country and left coalition partner BJP red faced, a dozen hapless activists of the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti who have been entangled in hefty court cases since the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board land row agitation of 2008, are questioning Mufti's benevolence towards a noted anti- national while they were facing trials for the last so many years despite the agreement reached out between the government of the day with the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sa...   READ MORE   Health Minister Lal Singh abuses doctors at SMHS hospital Principal tenders resignation, doctors seek apology 3/10/2015 12:26:59 AM Asif Iqbal Naik Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: A group of doctors was allegedly abused by the Minister for Health and Medical Education Lal Singh who visited Srinagar's premier SMHS hospital today. As per the details available with Early Times, Lal Singh misbehaved with a group of doctors and allegedly used unparliamentarily language at the Casualty Department of SMHS hospital. Known for his tongue wagging, newly appointed Health Minister in Mufti Syed government has been paying surprise visits to hospitals across the state. "A senior doctor who tried to explain certain issues to him was manhandled," eyewitnesses said, adding that after the incident an urgent meeting was called at the...   READ MORE   Thusoo 'looted' state exchequer to pay airfares 3/10/2015 12:26:46 AM K Koushal Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: Dilip Thusoo during his tenure as Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation Ltd. (JKPCC), Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board and Secretary Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council allegedly misused Public exchequer for his private/personal affairs, a RTI has revealed. A reply to RTI reveals Dilip Thusoo during his tenure as GM/MD in JKPCC, with effect from 10-05-2007 to 07-05-2009 withdrew exorbitant airfare of Rs 3, 62, 244 against his frequent air journeys for domestic/private affairs. Thusoo had drawn Rs 1, 30, 265 for various tours within the state and Rs 2, 31, 979 for his tours outside the state....   READ MORE   After protesting against Alam's release, Sethi accompanies Priya to office 3/10/2015 12:26:38 AM Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: Contrary to agitated mood of the party and its workers on roads, one of BJP ministers Priya Sethi today quietly assumed office in the Secretariat amid religious rituals to augur auspicious feelings. While most of her party colleagues assumed office a week ago, Priya waited until today for auspicious occasion. Sources said Priya was accompanied among others by her husband Yudhvir Sethi to Civil Secretariat . Before assuming her office, she performed puja nd other religious rituals in her office chamber along with her husband, sources said. While this is something normal for ministers to assume office early or late, most ironical aspect of the story is t...   READ MORE   Rajnath Singh hints at sacrificing Government in J&K over Masarat Alam's release 3/9/2015 11:21:02 PM Agencies New Delhi, Mar 9: Under attack over release of separatist Masarat Alam in Jammu and Kashmir, government on Monday admitted to "ideological differences" between BJP and PDP and said it is ready to make any "sacrifice" for national integrity. Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserted in Rajya Sabha that no one, howsoever powerful, will be allowed to play with the unity and integrity of the country as he sought to allay concerns of members over Alam's release. Singh, who made a statement and replied to clarifications, insisted that there was "no hidden agenda" and the Centre has sought answers from the state government, in which BJP is a part, over the decision to release Alam. "There...   READ MORE   Centre seeks fresh report on Alam's release: Rajnath 3/9/2015 11:20:52 PM Agencies New Delhi, Mar 9: Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Monday the Centre has asked for a fresh report from the Jammu and Kashmir government as its clarification on the release of separatist leader Masrat Alam was unsatisfactory. "Many leaders have expressed concern over the release of Alam. As soon as we got information in the matter, we asked for a report from the Jammu and Kashmir home department," said Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. He also said that the central government was not satisfied with the report and has sought further clarifications on this. "As far as public safety and national security is concerned, our government will not compromise ...   READ MORE   Embarrassed over Masarat's release, BJP workers question party's negotiators 3/9/2015 11:20:40 PM Early Times Report JAMMU, Mar 9: Though BJP is claiming that release of separatists was not the part of Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and Chief Minister has taken a unilateral decision, opposition parties Congress and NC are questioning BJP over the deal made with PDP to form coalition government in the state. Congress president G A Mir has already taken the BJP leadership including Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to task on the release of separatist leader Masrat Aalam from the jail who was the mastermind of 2010 unrest in Kashmir. Mir said the BJP should tell the nation what was the hidden agenda of the two parties on which they reached an under...   READ MORE   PDP launches counter offensive on Congress Reminds Azad of statement on Guru’s mortal remains to secure RS seat 3/9/2015 11:20:32 PM Early Times Report SRINAGAR, Mar 9: Shocked by the bizarre stand of the Congress party on release of separatist leader Masarat Alam, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Rajya Sabha MP Fayaz Ahmad Mir today reminded the "Grand Old Party" about the release of several incarcerated separatist and political leaders including Hurriyat (G) leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, in 2002, when it formed a coalition Government with PDP in the State. Fayaz said the Congress is getting old with age and forgetting things in a hurry. The Congress today created ruckus in both Houses of the Parliament on release of Alam. In a hard-hitting speech in Rajya Sabha today, Fayaz targeted Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Ch...   READ MORE   Directs Govt to implement its recommendations HC forms committee on Swine Flu 3/9/2015 11:20:22 PM Early Times Report Srinagar, Mar 9: The state High Court today directed constitution of a committee and asked it to chalk out programs to control swine flu spread in Kashmir Valley. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Justices Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Ali Mohammad Magrey also directed the committee to work out the requirements and report to the Government about the measures required to be taken for effectively dealing with H1N1 influenza. On the receipt of the report of the Committee, the bench directed the state and union of India to initiate necessary measures for implementing the recommendations by the committee. The court also directed the panel to take ne...   READ MORE   Ailing Farooq arriving in Srinagar to rein in drubbed NC Workers, activists want NC Patron to take charge 3/9/2015 11:20:13 PM Peerzada Ummer Early Times Report Srinagar, Mar 9: Notwithstanding ongoing chill, the National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdulah is coming to Srinagar to take over the reins of the drubbed party which lost most of its seats to PDP during recently held polls. Sources told The Early Times that Dr Farooq who was undergoing treatment in UK was advised by the medicos not to visit Kashmir especially during the chiling temperatures. "It was the need of an hour that Dr Farooq must step in to save the national conference from extinction. All across the party such demands were raised," says a party insider, wishing not to be named. Sources disclosed further that the arrival of Dr Farooq in ...   READ MORE   12th class exams: Mass copying in some Poonch centres, 53 cases of unfair means registered Action likely to be taken against supervisory staff of one examination centre at Chatral 3/9/2015 11:19:59 PM M S Nazki Early Times Report MENDHAR, Mar 9: Following complaints of mass copying in the ongoing 12th class exams in some Poonch areas, a BOSE team, which had arrived from Jammu, today carried out surprise checking of some examination centres and registered cases of unfair means against the students who were found copying. During checking in 4501 and 4503 examination centres at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Chatral, 20 cases of unfair means were registered by the team. 15 such cases were registered at GHSS, Mankote, according to official sources said. The team was led by BOSE Assistant Secretary J B Singh and its other members included SO Bishan Dutt Sharma and senior ass...   READ MORE   120 vacant posts taking heavy toll on Horticulture (P&M) Department 3/9/2015 11:05:29 PM Bivek Mathur Early Times Report Jammu, Mar 9: With the Army of educated employed in J&K exceeding 6 lakhs mark, the Department of Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Jammu and Kashmir is short of 120 posts against the sanctioned staff strength of 425 under various categories in Gazzetted/Non-Gazzetted and Class-IV categories which in return is taking toll on its functioning. A RTI reply revealed that Department of Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Jammu and Kashmir which is expected to boost the horticulture production in state is facing short fall of the staff strength under various categories in Gazzetted/Non-Gazzetted and Class-IV categories. The RTI reply from PIO of departme...   READ MORE   3 yrs on, Abhinav Theater renovation awaits completion JKAACL holds function in GCW auditorium, pays one lac 3/9/2015 11:05:23 PM G S Asgotra Early Times Report Jammu, March 9: The slow pace of renovation of Abhinav Theater, Jammu has been forcing the artists and the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (AACL) to host Annual Drama Festivals for the last three consecutive years in the auditorium of Government Women College Gandhi Nagar. For organizing the 14-day Annual Drama Festival 2015, the JK Academy of Art Culture and Languages has reportedly paid over Rs. 1 Lakh. Moreover, the lackadaisical approach of state government and Jammu Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) has been depriving the art lovers to move to some other venues for organizing any event, costing heavy on their pocket and also ...   READ MORE

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DLSA Kishtwar organizesworkshop Male police personnel stop female protesters 25 GHS schools in district Doda sans computer laboratories Shortage of doctors continues to affect healthcare in Kashmir valley CM's hometown Bijbehara in dark, separate Grid Station demanded After a decade of bereavement, approach road to Katra gets life Soldier dies trying to save drowning man Date for submission of online forms for CET extended Stay regarding written interview of Prosecuting Officer vacated Jammu-Srinagar NH remains closed since Mar 2 J-K police reviewing cases of 15 jailed inmates DB disposes plea over release of salary under pre-amended J&K Civil Services norms BJP, PDP truce to ensure speedy development of JK DB directives in PIL against 'Cow Slaughtering' Insurance employees observe strike against amendment in insurance laws bill Sarpanch, Panch 'extort commission' from a poor lady in Pulwama district Preparation of Adhaar cards gets kick started in Srinagar Snowfall affects normal life in North Kashmir Drinking water scarcity sparks protest Train services in Kashmir Valley suspended due to snowfall Omar backs Mufti on Alam Schools re-open in Valley after four months vacation Landslide at Sanasar Karvan-e-Aman bus resumes after one week Simplifying, enability of business sector Govt's priority: Drabu Heavy snowfall in Kashmir, mercury dips to sub-zero again Tiger Division remembers First World War heroes Work on 1000 MW Kishtwar power project to begin in April Sunil Sethi nominated BJP Chief spokesperson Newly elected JKHCBA team took charge of office BJP overlooks promise made in LS elections: Rehman Central Air Command visits Jammu Residents up in arms against damaged transformer JKTDC employees hail CM Mufti Sayeed for holding portfolio of tourism dept SRMWC to participate in Ram Navmi Shobha Yatra Anti nationality needs to be redefined: PAPA PoK refugees to hold protest rally against BJP today Nothing wrong in the release of Alam: PDP retorts to Modi Alam's release from jail triggers series of protests across Jammu PDP, BJP enacting drama to hoodwink people: Congress Alam's release aimed at facilitating talks with Separatists: PDP BJP lodges protest with Sayeed over Alam's release, demands re-arrest Water workers Association seeks regularization of services MPEJ critizes Govt's attitude towards private schools J&K disputed territory not part of India: Syed Ali Shah Geelani SMS College of education celebrates International Women's Day JU celebrates International Women's Day Arjumman Mughal creates ripples in Bollywood Sanjeev, Vijay, RK, Vishal lead in Chess Swine flu awareness camp organized by NSS R.M. Public School celebrates IWD Symposium on truth, non-violence organised at GDC Udhampur International Women's Day celebrated   READ MORE THIS SECTION

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VHP demands Syed Ali Shah Geelani's arrest for meeting Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit PM Modi hits out at J&K CM Mufti Please don't teach us patriotism, says Modi Can China give peace a chance? 22 years on, Hurriyat stands exposed and irrelevant Issues to be addressed by Government on priority   READ MORE THIS SECTION

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