TOP STORY OF THE DAY

Politicians, babus occupy 12000 kanals of forest land 5/31/2016 12:32:12 AM Muhammad Mukaram Early Times Report SRINAGAR, May 30: At least 12,000 kanals of land is under the illegal occupation of politicians and bureaucrats enjoying top posts in the state administration, a top official in the administration revealed. Surprisingly the land comprises of prime forest land of the state. In 1947 the total forest area in J&K was 26,900 sq. kms which has now reduced to less than 18,000 sq kms. "Around 12,000 kanals of forest land have been encroached by politicians, bureaucrats, officials of police and forest department and other people over the years," a senior forest official said. He said efforts are being made to evacuate from them within two years. "We have identified some politicians, bureaucrats, forest and police officials who have encroached upon the forest land. The previous government had facilitated these encroachers in grabbing the forest land as they had been in nexus with each other. But there are also some ministers in this government who have facilitated the land grabbing," the official said. He said some influential politicians were also l...   READ MORE

FRONT PAGE STORIES

BSNL under scanner for multi-crore scams, poor services Complaint reaches Union Ministry 5/31/2016 12:32:03 AM Early Times Report Srinagar, May 30: Finally, the officials at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited main office at Srinagar are under scanner for multi-crore scam, which aims at "sabotaging" the BSNL telecom services, particularly broadband connectivity in Kashmir, only to benefit private players who thrive on such situations. Highly placed sources said the office of Union Minister for Communications & Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad, has received complaint against "intriguingly poor BSNL telecom services in the Valley." For over a year, BSNL subscribers were up in arms over deteriorating services, while eyebrows were raised over some senior officials accused of sabotaging the servic...   READ MORE   BJP ministers' much-hyped 'public darbars' a hoax 5/31/2016 12:31:50 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: The much hyped "public darbars" conducted by the BJP ministers in different areas of Jammu proved a futile exercise because these "darbars" lack public as well as courtesy of BJP ministers. First of all public was not aware that BJP ministers are going to organise "public darbars" and secondly, some people, who had gone there to air their grievances, were not treated properly by the BJP ministers. These "public darbars"-which lack public, proved to be convention of BJP workers or interaction of workers with party ministers because suggestions were not sought from those who were gathered there. Instead of seeking suggestions from the people to bring back ...   READ MORE   BJP, ABVP not on same page on NEET issue 5/31/2016 12:31:42 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: State unit of BJP and its student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) are not on the same page on the issue of implementing National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) in J&K. While the ABVP has strongly advocated that NEET should be implemented in all institutions across the country, the state unit BJP, which is sharing power with PDP in J&K, has echoed its coalition partner's view point that due to special status, J&K should be exempted from NEET implementation. After attaining power in J&K, state unit of BJP is taking opponent stands on crucial issues be it raising of national flag at NIT Srinagar, colonies from displaced Kashmiri Pandi...   READ MORE   JKPCC allots Rs 17 cr work, sans tenders 5/31/2016 12:31:33 AM Early Times Report SRINAGAR, May 30: In-spite of orders issued by the Government asking J&K Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to undertake works by floating proper tenders, the JKPCC according to reliable sources has allotted Rs 17 crore bridge work to a blue eyed contractor who according to sources has been very close to the JKPCC's Managing Director. Details available with Early Times reveal that JKPCC has allotted a contract amounting to Rs 17 crores for the construction of a bridge at Watal Bagh, Ganderbal to a blue-eyed contractor Bashir Ahmad Malik who is considered to be very close to JKPCC's MD. Sources said that contractor was allotted the work in November last year by t...   READ MORE   Efforts afoot to post armed police Inspector as SHO 5/31/2016 12:31:26 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: Even as there is a PHQ order not to post armed police officers as SHOs, efforts are afoot to post an 'influential' Inspector as the head of a police station here. He was recently transferred from armed zone to PHQ here and a ground was now being made for his transfer to the district police for posting him as SHO of a police station, police sources said. Some politicians and senior police officers had already done ample drill for his posting as SHO, the sources informed. The Inspector, who has earlier also served as SHO of different police stations here, is said to be politically well connected and has developed good relations with some senior police o...   READ MORE   No provision for disaster preparedness in budget Guv's concern falls on deaf ears 5/31/2016 12:31:16 AM Peerzada Ummer ET Report SRINAGAR, May 30: Despite the standing directions of the state Governor NN Vohra in his address to the joint session of the Assembly over the disaster preparedness in the state on May 25, the budget presented by the Finance Minister on Monday had no mention of any provision to make JK capable to remain ready for tackling any natural calamity. The Budget that was presented amid much fanfare has provisions for female students, employees, casual labourers, water resources and heritage sites but has no mention about the measures the government was expected to take to tackle the natural disasters. On May 19 Oregon State University in the US said a major earthquake, ...   READ MORE   BJP MLC fights it out with party minister over faulty mike system 5/31/2016 12:31:04 AM Jehangir Rashid Early Times Report SRINAGAR, May 30: An interesting but embarrassing situation for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came up in the legislative council today as a minister of the party locked horns with a party legislator at the start of question hour. As soon as the question hour began, MLC Ramesh Arora of BJP and drew the attention of chairman legislative council, Haji Anayat Ali towards the malfunctioning of the mike system in the House. Arora said that since the mike system is not working in the House it would be better for the members to come out and stage a walk-out. The Council chairman while accepting the flaws in the mike system said that the same would be set right ...   READ MORE   Govt exploring jobs in private sector: CM Says everyone can't get a govt job 5/31/2016 12:30:47 AM Early Times Report SRINAGAR, May 30: Maintaining that everyone cannot be provided a government job, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that the government was exploring all possible job opportunities for the youth in private sector. "Though the government is a big employer in providing job opportunities to the unemployed youths, but it is not possible for the state government to provide government jobs to all the unemployed youth," Mehbooba Mufti told the Legislati...   READ MORE   2 BJP ministers manage 'favourite' DSPs' posting in their areas 5/31/2016 12:30:10 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: After repeated phone calls and recommendations made to senior officers at PHQ, two BJP ministers have managed the posting of 'favourite' DSPs as SDPOs in their respective constituencies. The adjustments were made in the recently issued transfer list of DSPs. The SDPOs, who were earlier posted in the constituencies of thw two ministers, were, according to them, not up to the mark. The two ministers wanted their favourite DSPs to be posted there for the purpose of nurturing their constituencies. "After repeated phone calls and recommendation letters written to senior officers, PHQ after all posted the two DSPs of their choice in their respective constit...   READ MORE   4 houses gutted at Bingara 5/31/2016 12:30:06 AM Danish Mohammad Early Times Report Banihal, May 30: Four houses reportedly were gutted in a late night fire incident in Bingara village of District Ramban. according to police sources though there was no report of loss of life or injury but property worth lakhs has been got damaged in this incident. Police sources said, "The cause of fire yet has not been ascertained while investigations are on on this regard. Police sources said that after the information of fire, police team rushed to ...   READ MORE   'Kashmir belongs to Kashmiri Hindus' Delhi's utter failure 5/31/2016 12:30:02 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: "Kashmir belongs to whom?" "To Kashmiri Hindus, the original inhabitants of the Land of Vitasta, Jhelum, and not to anybody else," This is what the outraged Kashmiri Hindus have been saying after the official spokesperson Naeem Akhtar and separatists of all hues upped their ante against the government proposal to set up "composite colonies" for the internally-displaced Kashmiri Hindus in the Valley. The official spokesperson had given the mandate to Kashmiri civil society and separatists and declared that the State Government would go by what they say about the return to and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Hindus in the Valley. In fact, they made it clear that...   READ MORE   JU's VC accused of favouritism 5/31/2016 12:29:50 AM Raj Sandeep Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: Levitating under the impact of Akhnoori Raj established by Vice Chancellor in the University of Jammu, the University Authority accommodated a teacher by paying him hugely when his case for remuneration was declared as unjustified by the Coordinator Economics. A document in the possession of Early Times revealed that in the month of August 2015, Coordinator Economics Prof Jasbir Singh informed DDE that a professor who was assigned the task of writing script for distance learners for PG Economic as two courses number 513 and 563 did neither come within the ambit of enshrined specimens nor lesson were in accordance with SLM and the Coordin...   READ MORE   Hizb pamphlets circulated inside Jamia Masjid Kishtwar People warned against helping Army 5/31/2016 12:29:37 AM Asif Iqbal Naik Early Times Report Srinagar, May 30: Putting the various security agencies including police into tizzy, Hizbul Mujahedeen today managed to circulate the pamphlets in the Jama Masjid during Zohar Nimaz . The pamphlets carry warning asking people not to support the army or any other security agencies working for the government of India, beside demanded Rs. 8 Crore trusted money from unmentioned businessman and contractors. HM also sought logistic and other support from t...   READ MORE   Govt HS Lakhanpur faces negligence 5/31/2016 12:29:19 AM Arun Trisal Early Times Report Kathua, May 30: Union and State governments launched number of programs to enhance enrollment in government schools in fact the existence of government schools especially Primary/middle is under threat but one of the oldest school, Government High School HS Lakhanpur, despite having good enrollment and contributes in securing existence of Government schools, badly facing negligence of the department. The excess admission in the school for class 9 & 10 resul...   READ MORE   Overloading, overcharging in passenger vehicles unabated 5/31/2016 12:29:04 AM S Tahir-ul Haq Early Times Report BANDIPORA, May 30: Overloading in public transport has become a daily routine in Kashmir valley particularly in rural areas of north Kashmir where traffic department is hardly seen to check this menace. Traffic department has failed to check the overloading of buses and other vehicles which leads to fatal accidents in the district. The concerned department is in deep slumber that has allowed them to ferry passengers thus putting the lives of hundreds of ...   READ MORE   NC legislators boycott budget speech, stage walk-out Engineer Rashid marshaled out of Assembly 5/31/2016 12:29:02 AM Jehangir Rashid Early Times Report SRINAGAR, May 30: Legislators of National Conference today staged a walk-out and boycotted the budget speech in the Legislative Assembly. The party legislators wanted to know the fate of investigations carried out in the Handwara case. As soon as the Minister for Finance, Dr.HaseebDrabu stood up to deliver his budget speech the NC legislators started to make noise on the floor of the House. It seemed that the NC legislators were waiting for Drabu to stand up and start his speech so that they could disrupt the same. All the NC members barring leader of opposition Omar Abdullah and deputy speaker Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) stood up as the budget spe...   READ MORE   Forests on fire in Sunderbani, officials unmoved 5/31/2016 12:28:40 AM Raj Sandeep Early Times Report Jammu, May 30: Forests considered to be a widely acknowledged source of maintaining environment and fighting pollution have become a victim of departmental lethargy. The sources informed Early Times that devastating fire has engulfed rural areas of villages Gura Charla, Rah Salyote and adjoining area in Sunderbani involving large forest area which is causing great danger to wild and other animals and destruction to trees besides creating suffocating atmos...   READ MORE   Repair work starts on broken stairs ET Impact 5/31/2016 12:28:18 AM Tahir Mushtaq Early Times Report RAMBAN, May 30: After years of patience, finally the repairing work of broken stairs near Raghunath Temple has started with the intervention of a private agency providing a sigh of relief for the locals who have suffered due to broken stairs. Early Times had filed a detailed report on this issue few weeks back. It is pertinent to mention here that the pathetic condition of stairs was causing lot of inconvenience to the walkers from the past many years but the Municipal Committee had failed to repair the small ditch which later developed into a death trap. Besides, there are many such roads that are not maintained and repaired for the long time causi...   READ MORE   Pawan questions Guv’s address, exposes BJP Batting for nation 5/31/2016 12:28:10 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: The budget session of J&K assembly commenced on May 25. Ever since then, the NC and other Kashmiri lawmakers have been raising emotive and divisive issues and the clueless, rudderless, leadership, "ideologically corrupt and politically bankrupt" BJP has been behaving as if its only role in the legislature is to watch the anti-India, anti-minority and anti-Army tirades as a mute spectator. Significantly, there is one lawmaker from Jammu, an independent MLA from Udhampur Pawan Gupta, who has taken upon himself the responsibility of playing the role of opposition in the 89-member House. He is the only one who has touched upon the most controversial points a...   READ MORE   Mantris play tricks to keep vote bank intact 5/31/2016 12:28:07 AM Saqib Junaid Early Times Report SRINAGAR, May 30: While it has become a trend at the Civil Secretariat Srinagar where ministers issue DOs (official letters) to most of the visitors, asking officials to look into their demands, but the concerned authorities rarely accept such letters. Official sources said although ministers issue around 2000 such letters every month , there has been poor response from the officials with most of the grievances and demands remaining unaddressed. "Actually the ministers know how to please their workers by giving a DO although we know the officials won't entertain such recommendations of the ministers," a senior official said. Mohammad Riyaz Wani, a r...   READ MORE   Of over 6 lakh unemployed in J&K, only 111077 registered with DE&CCs Kulgam, Jammu top list of registered unemployed 5/31/2016 12:28:00 AM Asif Iqbal Naik Early Times Report Srinagar, May 30: In reply to a question of National Conference MLA Mohammad Akbar Lone, government of Jammu and Kashmir stated that there are 111077 registered unemployed youths with District Employment and Counselling Centers across 22 Districts of the state. As per previous datacollected by various agencies, there are more than 6 lakh unemployed Youth in state of Jammu and Kashmir which is highest percentage in the country as per the population ratio. As per details furnished by the government, Kulgam District in Kashmir Division tops the list with 16405 registered unemployed youths followed by Kargil (5554), Anantnag (5379), Baramulla (5242),...   READ MORE   BJP ministers ignore loyal party workers 5/31/2016 12:28:00 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: How a common man can expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Achay Din'' in Jammu when BJP, after coming to power, has 'forgotten' and 'ignored' its loyal workers who are associated with it from the days of Praja Parishad and Prem Nath Dogra. A large number of people, inspired by Prem Nath Dogra who is also known as Sher-e-Duggar, had joined Praja Parishad to strengthen nationalist movement in the state under his leadership. These people never expected anything for themselves but their sole motive was to strengthen national cause in the state and silence the voice of the forces who wanted to maintain separate identity of J&K. These people were so inclin...   READ MORE   Govt working on modalities for return of power projects: Drabu 5/31/2016 12:27:54 AM Ishtiyaq Ahmad Early Times Report srinagar, May 30: With the Union Power Minister, PiyushGoyal having ruled out transfer of power projects to Jammu Kashmir, State Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu today claimed that the government is working out modalities with the centre to get back power projects from NHPC. Addressing a press conference on Budget at Banquet hall here Drabu said, "The state government is working on modalities to get power projects from NHPC. Several discussions have taken place between GoI and J&K government on the issue and there is a broad-based consensus at the highest level". The finance minister said that the transfer of power projects has been under discussion for...   READ MORE   India can destroy entire Pakistan, say experts Disgraced Pak scientist's threats 5/31/2016 12:27:51 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: The disgraced Pakistan scientist AQ Khan claiming that his country has the ability to target New Delhi and destroy it with nuclear weapons is yet another instance about highhandedness of the people sitting in the neighbouring country. Dr Khan, who illegally passed nuclear secrets to Iran, Syria and North Korea, has threatened that Pakistan has the ability to target New Delhi from Kahuta near Rawalpindi in five minutes. A defence analyst while commenting upon Dr Khan's threat said, "India has the ability to target entire Pakistan. And Pakistanis know it very well." He said, "India too can target whole of Pakistan, but nuclear weapons are mea...   READ MORE   25 yrs on, hospital still lacks Power backup facility SDH Darhal violates IPHS norms 5/31/2016 12:27:48 AM Bijay Charak Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: The Sub District Hospital (SDH) Darhal of Rajouri district, established 25 years ago exposed all claims made by state government to strengthen rural health institutions, and also violates Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) norms, as the hospital still lacks basic facilities besides a power backup system. Ashfaq Ahmed, a local resident told Early Times that to maintain the power supply in the hospital, previous year government had proposed Rs. 20 lakh for 20 KV power backup system to this hospital but it was still not procured for reasons best known to higher authorities of Health Department. Since 1992 it was functioning as Sub Di...   READ MORE   Budget aims to bring financial discipline in J&K Slew of welfare measures announced for women 5/31/2016 12:27:35 AM Highlights Rs 2 crore proposed for journalist welfare fund 2 EDC for women, Rs 5 Cr for city bus service for women 10 per cent area reservation in all industrial estates of the state Fee waiver for all girls studying in government run schools up to 12th standard No allocation for 7th Pay Commission Products to cost more Shawls, stoles and towels to be put under 5 percent tax category. Tax levied on items like lassi, milk, separated milk, flavoured milk, rusks of all kinds, multifunctional devices, printers, room freshners, air freshners, naphthalene balls, cell phones, mobile phones, tablets, I-Pads and their accessories, imitation jewellery, readymade garments & ho...   READ MORE   Vigilance begins probe into allegations against CCBL Chairman 5/31/2016 12:27:24 AM Early Times Report jammu, May 30: The Vigilance Organization Jammu has formally begun probe into alleged irregularities and malfunctioning in the Citizen's Cooperative Bank during the two successive tenures of Chairman . A young Police officer of the rank of Inspector, who is well known for his integrity, honesty and professional skills, has been appointed as Inquiry Officer to investigate into the complaints against Chairman. Even as the Vigilance team has not yet formally summoned Chairman and others, who are accused of malfunctioning and mismanagement of the public money, sources said that the questioners are being prepared to grill those involved in the acts of omissions and commiss...   READ MORE   2 BJP ministers manage 'favourite' DSPs' posting in their areas 5/31/2016 12:27:17 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, May 30: After repeated phone calls and recommendations made to senior officers at PHQ, two BJP ministers have managed the posting of 'favourite' DSPs as SDPOs in their respective constituencies. The adjustments were made in the recently issued transfer list of DSPs. The SDPOs, who were earlier posted in the constituencies of the two ministers, were, according to them, not up to the mark. The two ministers wanted their favourite DSPs to be posted there for the purpose of nurturing their constituencies. "After repeated phone calls and recommendation letters written to senior officers, PHQ after all posted the two DSPs of their choice in their respective constit...   READ MORE   Casual labourers hold anti-govt protest in Srinagar 5/31/2016 12:27:11 AM Majid Nabi Early Times Report Srinagar, May 30: A joint protest of the casual laborers of various departments was held today against the government for its failure in fulfilling their long pending demands including release of pending salaries and regularization. Shouting slogans against the present PDP led dispensation, hundreds of casual laborers under the banner of JKNTUF led by senior JCC leader; Mohammad Gafoor Dar assembled at Lal Chowk and staged demos against the government for failing to address their long pending issues. The protesters were demanding regularization of jobs and release of salaries which they claimed is pending with the government for the last five years...   READ MORE   Guidelines violated as PDP leader projects tainted applicant SKIMS Director selection 5/31/2016 12:27:04 AM Javaid Naikoo Early Times Report Srinagar, May 30: Criterion set for selection of Director for Premier Health institute, SKIMS, Srinagar has been ignored as one noted PDP leader projected one tainted and ineligible applicant for the post. With the advertisement notification for recruitment of Director for SKIMS, Srinagar, authorities as per official Documents vide number 12-SKIMS of 2010 dated May14,2010 accessed by Early Times issued a set of procedures for the selection of Director purely on the bases of 'merit' and fair bio-data of applicants. The selection committee after receiving applications for the post as per procedures shall examine the 'bio-data' and other necessary re...   READ MORE

CARTOON CORNER

E-PAPER PREVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

Power Sector can change fortunes of the state: Drabu 'Will promote inclusivity, restore institutional mechanism' Digitization of records: SVC asks Commissioner Education to secure DOB, other records LMD books traders for fleecing consumers, imposes Rs 35000 fine Encroachment on 'forest land' goes unabated in Rajouri Hideout busted, cache of arms, ammunition recovered Consumer Commission can't pass interim award: HC After 21 yrs of trial, court sentences 14 accused in assault case Nagbani sexual harassment case: Police had let accused Principal go scot free Murder accused awarded life impriosnment Two held with 50 gms of heroin CEO directs to immediate lift dumped garbage in Katra Kashmir to witness Maha Kumbh on June 14 International Peace Day celebrated at Adarash Baliniketan DTE to engage artisans for GPs, ITIs Vishno Devi pilgrim among 4 found dead across Jammu region Aryans launches Dr Kalam Memorial Reignited Scholarship NSDC-Udaan Mega Placement Drive begins PHE ITI trained employees hold protest TAT holds meeting First Aid Training Course concluded SIE conducts seminar on Digital India Term-End Examinations of IGNOU to begin from June 1 Team Jammu slams callous attitude of authorities towards drug mafia Reservation in promotion row : NC's SC cell castigate govt   READ MORE THIS SECTION

OTHER STORIES

Gourav wins gold medal in Thaiboxing C'ship Nav Usha Social, Cultural Organization organizes a cultural programme JK students bring laurels to the school Sunderwari Club wins Kashmir volleyball title J&K Bank lifts State Football Championship Army School Udhampur excels in academics   READ MORE THIS SECTION

ARCHIVE SECTION

Monday, May 30, 2016 Sunday, May 29, 2016 Saturday, May 28, 2016 Friday, May 27, 2016 Thursday, May 26, 2016 Wednesday, May 25, 2016 Tuesday, May 24, 2016

STOCK UPDATE

BSE Sensex NSE Nifty

CRICKET UPDATE