JKP to remain fore front and serve people: DGP
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 4: Appreciating the role of Jammu and Kashmir Police in combating militancy and bringing normal situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda today said that Jammu and Kashmir Police force will remainÿ always in fore front to serve the people of the state and ensure peace and normalcy in the entire state.
Addressing the Jawans and officers at District Police Lines Pulwama, Khoda announced one rank promotion of nine police personnel of the District Police Lines Pulwama and Anantnag who took part in various anti-militancy operations on the spot.ÿ
Khoda appreciated the role of public with regard to giving support to the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces in bringing normalcy and peace in the state. He maintained that public from all walks of life and from every corner of the state always give us support for achieving the better results, without their support normalcy was impossible.
He said the Jammu and Kashmir Police will remain always in fore front for the betterment of public who suffered a lot during the militancy, so that people can prosper and students carry on their studies in a peaceful atmosphere.
While interacting the media persons about the situation, Khoda said that situation is under control and Amar Nath Yatra is going smoothly. He said during the abnormal situation in the valley, without any interruption, yatris performed the yatra smoothly, as Jammu Kashmir Police with help of other security agencies are providing security cover from Lakhanpur to Holly Cave.
He said situation in Jammu is also improving and wherever situation improves, relaxation in curfew is giving.

Section 144 imposed in Baramulla
KT NEWS SERVICE
BARAMULLA, July 4: District Magistrate, Baramulla has ordered promulgation of section 144 in the district with immediate effect. The order will remain in force for 60 days.
The restriction will not apply to funeral, marriage and religious gatherings. However, no person shall use loud speaker or any other device for making speech or announcement expect with the prior permission of District Magistrate or Additional District Magistrate. Besides, no person other than a member of Armed Forces/Police/magistrate or public servant duly authorized shall carry fire arms.

Div Com reviews supply, stock position in Srinagar
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 4: A high level meeting of officers convened by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Mehboob Iqbal here today reviewed stock and supply position of essential commodities and availability of power supply, drinking water besides irrigation facility for the paddy land in the valley.
The meeting was informed that sufficient stocks of foodgrains including 2.23 lakh quintals of rice, 5236 quintals of atta and 6200 quintals of sugar are available in all the valley districts to cater to the needs of consumers for more than one month.
It was given out that 70,000 filled cooking gas cylinders are in stock with different oil companies in the valley which could suffice for ten days.
Reviewing stock position at Baltal and Pahalgam for Amarnath yatries, it was apprised that 56,000 litres of k-oil have been dispatched to Baltal and Pahalgam base camps while stock position of other essentials is satisfactory.
The Divisional Commissioner enjoined upon the offices to ensure better power supply to the consumers during the summer season.

Draw of lots for Hajj on July 10
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 4: According to Executive Officer Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee, the draw of lots, for confirmation of Hajj seats in favour of the intending pilgrims of Hajj 1429 (H)-2008 (AD) shall be held on Thursday, July10, 2008 at 11 am, at the office of J&K State Hajj Committee, Baitul Hujjaj (Hajj House), Bemina, Srinagar.
The event shall be telecast live on Doordarshan's Kashmiri Channel (DD Kashir). The intending pilgrims are not required to attend. The proceedings can be watched on the Television.

Interview of CIC operators on July 9
KT NEWS SERVICE
BARAMULLA, July 4: According to Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, the interview of candidates who have applied for the post of CIC operators will be conducted on July 9 at 10 AM in his office at Baramulla. The candidates should bring alongwith all original testimonials on the interview date positively.

Applications sought from retired Revenue officials
KT NEWS SERVICE
BARAMULLA, July 4: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla has invited applications from retired Naib Tehsildars, Girdawars Qanoongo (GQ), Patwaris for appointment on contractual basis on payment of last pay drawn minus pension.
The age of the applicant should not be above 65 years on July 1. Date of Birth certificate, State Subject Certificate, Photo Copy of the pension case where pension has been sanctioned or a certificate from Tehsildar where from the official has proceeded on superannuation should be attached with the application.
At the time of interview the candidates must produce original certificates. The last date for receipt of application alongwith all testimonials has been fixed on July 15 addressed to Deputy Commissioner Baramulla.

KVIB to open CFC in Bandipora, Basholi
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 4: Kahdi and Village industries Board (KVIB) will soon open Common Facility Centre (CFC) at Bandipora and Basholi in Jammu and Kashmir to assist pashmina shawl weaving units that are facing tough times.
These shawls are extremely popular not only in India but also in international market.
R.C. Sharma, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), KVIB informed in a meeting that the project will cost about Rs. 2.5 million, out of which 75 percent will be given by Government while implementing agencies will contribute the remaining amount.
While asserting facilities being provided by the centres, Sharma said that the wages of the weavers will be increased from Rs. 50 to Rs. 120.
Previously for one ordinary shawl at Basholi the artisan earned Rs. 300 whereas now they will receive approximately Rs. 450 and at Bandipora from Rs. 500 to 1200 depending upon yarn with CFC. People working in product development will have benefit of 50 to 60 percent. Nearly 1,200 weavers and 3,800 spinners will be availing facilities in CFC, the meeting was told.

Team of Wage Board for journalists to visit
KT NEWS SERVICE
Srinagar, July 4: A team of Wage Board led by K. M. Sahni Member-Secretary is visiting the state from July 24 to August 9 to discuss with the concerned ministers, government officers and stake holders of newspaper industry. the agenda points.
The agenda points include status of implementation of the recommendations of the 5th (Manisana) Wage Boards announced by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in December, 2000; response to the notice of the current Wage Boards Published in the Newspapers dated November 24, 2007, demand for interim relief with economic justification, ability of employer to pay the said demand, suggestions regarding amendments, , to the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955, the financial health of Newspaper establishments - past, present and future; its likely growth / improvement in the health status in the next five to ten years; and present job classification in the newspaper in respect of both journalists and non-journalists, and their respective duties, and their corresponding salary structure and the extent of contract appointments in your establishments.
The team will stay at Jammu from July 24 to 27 for discussions and meetings with stake holders of newspaper industry of Jammu. It will have similar meetings at Leh on July 29. The team will visit Srinagar on August 6 and have discussions with stake holders of newspaper industry at Srinagar particularly the Urdu Press on August 7 .
The team has proposed meetings with Chief Minister, Minister for Labour and Employment and Chief Secretary on August 8.

SFC visiting Budgam, Kulgam on July 7 8
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 4 :The J&K State Finance Commission headed by Dr. Mehmood-ur-Rehman is visiting Budgam and Kulgam districts on July 7 and 8 to give public hearing and to receive documents for developmental disparities or imbalances if any.
The Commission would hold a meeting with district officers and public representatives at Budgam on July 7 at 2 PM. On July 8 at 10.30 AM the Commission would meet district officers and public representatives at Kulgam.

KAS Association condemns attack on DC Excise
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 4 :J&K KAS Officers Association has condemned the attack of Tax invaders on Deputy Commissioner Excise Lakhanpur M. Raja taking advantage of present unpalatable scenario and disturbance.
"They wanted to take advantage of the situation and indulge in illegal practice of Tax evading. This was foiled by the Deputy Commissioner Excise and its staff so they attacked him", the Association added.
President KAS Association Khawaja Farooq Renzu has expressed solidarity with the duty bound officer and his staff. He has underscored the need for providing full protection to the officer and his staff to perform their duty without any hindrance.

Amarnath pilgrims provided refreshment at Banihal
KT NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, June 4: As a goodwill gesture, the civil society Banihal provided refreshment to Amarnath pilgrims.
Members of Civil Society Banihal led by advocate Saleem Raja provided refreshment to Amarnath pilgrims.
Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Banihal and Tehsildar were present on the occasion.
The society members maintained that the incident of "attack on Amarnath pilgrims" was misreported. The incident occurred due to misunderstanding as there was tussle with the Taxi operators and the pilgrims were not the target, the members claimed.

Governor lauds army's role; calls for
winning hearts, minds of people
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 4: Governor N N Vohra has lauded the sustained devotion of the army in effectively guarding the country's frontiers in the past six decades and its commitment to counter terrorism while exercising maximum restraint to ensure against collateral damage to innocent civilians.
Vohra was interacting with Lt. General Mukesh Sabharwal, 15 Corps Commander, who gave a detailed briefing to the Governor on the obtaining pattern and extent of cross-LoC infiltration and the manner in which his echelons were dealing with the situation.
Governor conveyed appreciation of civic action being undertaken by the army in the border and remote areas to supplement various services to the civilian population.
He particularly referred to the Army's endeavours towards spreading education through its Goodwill Public Schools and organizing free Medical Camps to provide valuable relief to the people residing in the far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Governor stressed the importance of continuing efforts for winning over the hearts and minds of the people who have suffered immensely during the past about two decades of militancy. He also reiterated the imperative of ensuring against any avoidable inconvenience or damage to interests of the people at large when the Security Forces were carrying out anti-terrorist operations, most of which were in difficult circumstances.
General Sabharwal gave the Governor his assessment of the overall existing and emerging situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Vohra observed that 'whether during war or in peace, the Army has always played a glorious role'.