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Excelsiordaily

REGD.NO.JK-71/15-17RNI No. 28547/1992

Vol No. 51 No. 248 JAMMU, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 14 Pages `̀ 4.00

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 7:Reiterating its commitment tofully rehabilitate the victimsof September 2014 deluge andreconstruct the flood-ravagedinfrastructure, the StateGovernment today said effortswould be also intensified toensure that such catastrophesdon't recur in future.

"Rehabilitation of the flood-affected continues to be a workin progress, but there are stillgaps in entire rehabilitation andreconstruction process whichneed to be filled at the earliest,"Chief Minister MuftiMohammad Sayeed said whilechairing the State Cabinet meet-ing here today.

Pertinently, it was on thisday last year that Jammu andKashmir was hit by a devastat-ing flood, one of the worst natu-ral disasters in the State's recenthistory.

According to EducationMinister, Naeem Akhtar, who isalso the State Governmentspokesman, the Chief Ministertold his Cabinet colleagues thatreconstruction of the flood-rav-aged infrastructure has alreadybeen taken up and visibleprogress made in restoring road

communication network,bridges, healthcare and educa-tional facilities. "Work is inprogress in other sectors as welland the rehabilitation and recon-struction process is going on,"he said and hoped that the

Centre will partner with theState Government in not onlyreviving the livelihood of theflood-affected people but also inrebuilding a safe and stableJammu and Kashmir.

Mufti said that he wasdeeply saddened by the puerilecomments of those who procras-tinated when in power and wereprimarily responsible for thecolossal damage to the life andproperty. "The same people whowere responsible for compound-

ing the miseries of the peopleduring the deluge because oftheir inaction are now trying toscore brownie points over thepeople's tragedies," he said.

"While September 2014 del-uge left behind a trail of destruc-tion, devastating both privateand public infrastructure, but themost remarkable facet at thathorrible point in time was theawesome power of human kind-ness and compassion thatenveloped us as hundreds ofvolunteers and forces personnelstreamed into the deluged areasfor rescue and relief opera-tions," he said and added thatthese volunteers, especially theyouth, worked tirelessly forweeks to help us get back on ourfeet. "We will be forever grate-ful to all who supported us dur-ing those testing times in ourhour of need," he said and addedthe devastating floods showedus that the new generation ofKashmiris has come of age andthey have taken the centre-stage.

"The catastrophe hasrestored our confidence in ourown abilities. It may not haveyet secured our future, but it hascertainly given us hope," he saidand added that a new spirit of

‘Those responsible for miseries trying to score points’

Govt committed to rehabilitate2014 flood victims: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 7: StateCabinet, which met under thechairmanship of ChiefMinister, Mufti MohammadSayeed this morning, accord-ed sanction to the appoint-ment of 1984 batch IAS offi-cer, B R Sharma as new ChiefSecretary of Jammu andKashmir. Soon after theCabinet decision, Mr Sharmatook over as head of thebureaucracy in the State.

It was also decided by theCabinet that B R Sharma willcontinue to hold the charge ofthe post of AdministrativeSecretary, Planning andDevelopment Department tillfurther orders.

The appointment of newChief Secretary was requiredafter Mr Sharma's predecessorMohammad Iqbal Khandeysought voluntary retirementfrom service last month citingdifferences with theGovernment.

B R Sharma has beenappointed to the top administra-tive post superseding four seniorofficers-Arun Kumar (Financial

Commissioner Revenue), SonaliKumar (Chairman J&K SpecialTribunal), A K Angurana(Secretary in the Union Ministryof Panchayati Raj) andKhursheed Ganai (FinancialCommissioner Industries and

Commerce).Born on April 27, 1960, Mr

Sharma will have one of thelongest tenure as ChiefSecretary of the State. He hasheld various important positionsin the State Administrationincluding Principal SecretaryHome, Principal SecretaryPlanning and DevelopmentDepartment, Chief ElectoralOfficer, J&K, Chief Executive

Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno DeviShrine Board, DivisionalCommissioner, Jammu, DeputyCommissioner Kathua, DeputyCommissioner, Kupwara andExcise Commissioner.

His appointed to the covet-ed post has been widely hailedby the civil society as well asAdministrative Secretaries,senior officers and Secretariatemployees. He is known forhis integrity, honesty andadministrative acumen.

It is pertinent to mentionhere that EXCELSIOR in itsedition dated August 26 hadexclusively reported that B RSharma would take over as newChief Secretary of the State.

The Cabinet also ratified thevoluntary retirement of formerChief Secretary of Jammu andKashmir Mohammad IqbalKhandey and placed on recordits appreciation for the honesty,integrity, administrative acumenand remarkable contribution ofIqbal Khandey in various capac-ities towards development of theState. The Chief Minister, MuftiMohammad Sayeed recalled

Sub-Committee to examine J&K Wakafs Bill

Cabinet appoints B R Sharmaas new Chief Secy

* ‘Ladli Beti’ Social Assistance Scheme gets nod

INSIDE WEATHER * Katra connectivity ...Page 6 CM flags off expedition to scale

Kolahoi peak, unveils logo ofTour de Kashmir ...Page 3

Governor, CM, Farooq, Omar pay tributes to Sheikh Abdullah ...Page 3

Won’t allow BJP-RSS to take controlof SMVDSB: Rana ...Page 5

Javaid reviews progress on4-laning of NH ...Page 5

Sania - Martina through to USOpen quarters ...Page 12

JAMMU : Mainly clear sky.

TEMPERATUREMax: 33.7 Degree C Min: 20.6 Degree C

RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 63.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 48.0 per centSunset on Tuesday: 06.49 p.m.Sunrise on Wednesday: 06.12 a.m.

KASHMIR:Mainly cloudy sky.TEMPERATURE

Max: 27.5 Degree C Min: 12.8 Degree C

RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 82.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 52.0 per cent

LEH: TEMPERATUREMax: 22.5 Degree C Min: 10.8 Degree C

Internet Edition: www.dailyexcelsior.comE-Paper: http://epaper.dailyexcelsior.com

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(Contd on page 10 Col 1)

Several houses damagedPak heavy shelling

kills civilian, injures 3Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 7: As Indo-Pak Director General leveltalks between BSF and

Rangers approached, Pakistanarmy once again resorted toheavy mortar shelling along

the Line of Control (LoC) inSabzian sector of Poonch dis-trict last night and extended ittill this afternoon targeting

civilian population, killing onecivilian and injuring three oth-

(Contd on page 10 Col 3)

Smoke billows out of a field following mortar shell explosion inSabzian on Monday. Another pic on page 10. -Excelsior/Harbhajan

(Contd on page 10 Col 5)

Kashmir shuts down on flood anniversaryTraders, separatists arrested

to foil Lal Chowk marchExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 7:Kashmir valley todayobserved complete shutdownagainst the Government's fail-ure to provide succor to thelast year's flood victims whilePolice foiled protest rallies oftraders demanding rehabilita-tion on the occasion of firstanniversary of last year's dev-

astating deluge. The strike was called by the

Kashmir Economic Alliance(KEA), an amalgam of tradersbodies, to mark the first anniver-sary of last year's floods. Theyhad also called for protestsagainst the Government apathytowards deluge victims.

The shutdown call waswidely supported by othertraders and Civil SocietyGroups, separatist and main-stream political parties includ-ing National Conference (NC)and Communist Party of India(Marxist).

The Government sealed sev-eral localities including LalChowk where the traders werescheduled to hold a protest rally.The district administration haddenied permission to them forholding the rally at Lal Chowk,citing apprehensions of law andorder problem. They had sug-gested them to shift the venue toShere Kashmir Park, which they

rejected. Police imposed restrictions

in Lal Chowk and deployedhundreds of security person-nel in riot gear to prevent anyattempt by the traders toreach Lal Chowk. Policeerected iron barricades andlaid concertina wires on roadsleading to Lal Chowk to sealall entry and exit points.

Earlier, in the mid nightraids, Police arrested severalleaders of the trade bodies.Police raided the houses ofMohammad Yasin Khan andShowkat Chowdhary anddetained them in Kothi BaghPolice Station for entire day.

Despite restrictions in citycentre, a small group of traders,hoteliers and transportersassembled at Press Enclave hereand tried to stage a protestagainst the State and CentralGovernments. However, theywere wisked away by police andtaken to Kothi Bagh PoliceStation. The police also resortedto mild baton charge on theprotesters who were seekingrehabilitation.

In the afternoon, the tradersappeared from lanes and by-lanes of the Lal Chowk andstaged protests near ClockTower, sending cops into tizzy.More than two dozen traders

Cops detain protesting traders in Srinagar on Monday.-Excelsior/Amin War

(Contd on page 10 Col 3)

Fayaz BukhariSRINAGAR, Sept 7:

Former Chief Minister, OmarAbdullah, today slammedCentre and StateGovernments, for failing toprovide succor to last year'sflood victims.

Speaking to reporters on thesidelines of a blood donationcamp organized by NationalConference at its party head-quarters, Nawai SubahComplex, Omar said that Stateand Central Governments hadmade tall promises of providingrelief to the people but till thisday, we have got nothing.

"The Government has failedto keep its promises. Evidenceof their inaction is visible every-where. People who could afford

have only done the repairs.People who lost in lakhs havebeen paid in thousands.Infrastructure remainsdestroyed", said former ChiefMinister.

Omar said that when theCentre was intending to give

funds to the State Government,the PDP and BJP said thoseshould be given to the electedGovernment. "The PDP-BJPGovernment promised aid topeople but they didn't deliver,when the funds were given tothe State Government they saidgive it to a legitimately electedGovernment and now after 6months we have got nothing",he said.

On arresting the traders inmidnight raids on the occasionof first anniversary of floods,the former Chief Ministerwarned that such actions willonly alienate the people. Heaccused the ruling PDP of sab-otaging the relief package forthe State.

"In a series of midnight raidsMufti Sayeed has ensured the

arrest of all the Trade Bodyleaders. Their crime?Unhappiness over flood relief",Omar tweeted.

"All these people wanted todo was register their dissatisfac-tion at the absence of any mean-ingful flood relief. Shame onMufti the Dictator," ChiefMinister tweeted.

Omar also took a dig at StateGovernment's plan to mark thefloods anniversary as revivalday. "If Mufti Sb was so surepeople were going to celebrateas his Govt has planned todayhe wouldn't have ordered thesearrests (sic)," he tweeted."Shows just how desperate theyare for their "celebration" tosucceed," he said in anothertweet.

Omar slams Govt for failing to provide succor to flood victims

(Contd on page 10 Col 3)

Mohinder VermaJAMMU, Sept 7: In order

to set up an exclusive adminis-trative institution which canenergize, boost and re-invigo-rate skill development land-scape in a sustained and inte-grated manner, StateGovernment will shortlylaunch Skill andEntrepreneurship DevelopmentMission to be headed by ChiefMinister. The concept paper inthis regard was approved bythe State Cabinet today withthe direction to the Planningand Development Departmentto come up with a comprehen-

sive memorandum in nextCabinet meeting.

According to the ConceptPaper, the copy of which isavailable with EXCELSIOR,Jammu and Kashmir is facing adichotomy of crisis and oppor-tunity with almost 50% of itstotal population below 25 yearsof age and around 65% of thetotal population in the workingage group of 15 to 59 years.

The population pyramid isexpected to swell in the workingage group bracket over the nextdecade and it is estimated thatby 2022 (cumulative/incremen-tal) , about 15 lakh peoplewould join labour force in the

State. However, the demograph-ic advantage is predicted to lastonly until 2040 giving a verythin time-frame to strap up thedividend and fight out the skillshortages.

Stating that enormity of thechallenge is complicated by thefact that J&K has certain pecu-liarities that are different fromthe rest of the country, theConcept Paper drafted by thenew Chief Secretary B RSharma in his capacity asPrincipal Secretary, Planningand Development Department,said, "this entail preserving andfurther strengthening/upgradingthe base of traditional skills

related to sectors line agricul-ture, horticulture, handicrafts,handlooms, eco-friendlytourism, which are central to theState's economic structure".

"At the same time, skilltraining efforts need to cutacross multiple sectors to pavethe way for equipping peoplewith knowledge, technicalknow-how, skills and compe-tence for the jobs of today andtomorrow, which includes har-nessing entrepreneurial skillwhich has not been fully real-ized given the fact that themacro, small and medium enter-prises sector hugely contributes

(Contd on page 10 Col 5)

Sanjeev PargalJAMMU, Sept 7: Inspector

General of BSF, JammuFrontiers, Rakesh Sharmasaid today that 70 to 80 percent agenda in the DirectorGeneral level BSF-Rangerstalks in New Delhi being heldfrom September 9 to 13 will beconfined to the issues pertain-ing to the InternationalBorder (IB) in Jammu regionand that targeting civiliansareas directly by the Rangerswould be taken up forcefullyin the meeting.

Before leaving for NewDelhi this afternoon to join theBSF-Rangers talks, Sharma toldthe Excelsior that the BSF waslooking for good and healthy

discussions with the Rangersand hoped that both sides wouldagree to maintain ceasefireagreement of 2003, which wasbeing frequently violated by theRangers with violations cross-ing all limits during past overone and half years, leading toseveral civilian casualties-bothfatal and non-fatal.

Sharma would be an impor-tant member of the Indian dele-gation in the border guard talks,which will be led by DirectorGeneral of BSF, DK Pathak,who reached New Delhi thismorning from the United States.Pakistan side will be represent-ed by Director General Rangers(Punjab) Farooq Ahmad Burki.Each side will have 14 to 15

officers in the delegation.The Indian delegation will

have IGs BSF of all Frontiersincluding Jammu, Punjab,Rajasthan, Gujarat etc, whichhave boundary with Pakistan.Similarly, the Rangers will alsohave the officers of an equiva-lent rank from their side.

"Though Pakistan had

been violating ceasefire earlieralso, in 2014 and 2015, theyhave started directly targetingthe civilian population, whichwas against all internationalnorms and conventions, lead-ing to civilian casualties, bothfatal and non-fatal apart fromcausing extensive damage tocivilian property and live-stock, which was among themajor source of livelihood ofthe border dwellers,'' the IGBSF Jammu Frontiers said,adding the BSF has alwaysretaliated very effectively toPakistan misadventure andinflicted heavy damage onthem.

Sharma, however, said the

‘Want peace but won't tolerate ceasefire violations’70-80 pc agenda of BSF-Rangers talkspertain to Jammu frontiers: IG BSF

Step to check skill deficit, reduce multiplicity of efforts

J&K to shortly launch vibrant Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Mission

*Cabinet directs P&DD to come up with complete memo

(Contd on page 10 Col 5)

Hooda confirms life term to 6Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 7: The Northern Army Commander has con-firmed the life imprisonment awarded to six Armymen includingtwo officers by an Army court for the killing of three youths in afake encounter in Machil in Kashmir in 2010.

"The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, NorthernCommand, Lt Gen D S Hooda has confirmed the sentence of theSummery General Court Martial (SGCM) in Machil encountercase," PRO Defence, Northern Command, Col S D Goswami said.

The six personnel -- Colonel Dinesh Pathania, who was theCommanding Officer, Captain Opindra, Havaldar Devender

(Contd on page 10 Col 5)

Only issue is PoK: Dr JitendraNEW DELHI, Sept 7:

The only issue with Pakistan is to get back parts of Jammu andKashmir under its illegal occupation, Minister of State in PMOJitendra Singh said here today, hitting back at Pakistan army chiefGen Raheel Sharif’s comments that Kashmir is an “unfinishedagenda”.

Singh emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir was and willremain the integral part of India.

“If there is any subject related to Jammu and Kashmir andPakistan it is how the parts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)can be again included in India.

(Contd on page 10 Col 7)

28 doctors transferredExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 7: Government today ordered transfers andpostings of 28 doctors in the Health and Medical EducationDepartment.

According to the order, Dr Phonsog Angchuk, CMO, Leh, hasbeen transferred and posted as Medical Superintendent, SNMHospital Leh,

Dr Yangchan Dolma, Incharge Medical Superintendent, SNMHospital Leh has been transferred and posted as Incharge CMOLeh, Dr Mohammad Shafi Koka, Medical Superintendent, PoliceHospital Srinagar, was transferred and posted as Incharge State

(Contd on page 10 Col 7)

Two cops hurt in blastExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 7: Two Railway policemen were injuredwhen militants hurled a grenade at them in Awantipora area ofSouth Kashmir's Pulwama district this evening.

Selection grade constable Mukhtar Ahmad(belt no. 398) and Rouf Ahmad (belt no. 394)

received splinter injuries when militants hurled a grenade on themat Railway track near Malangpora area of Awantipora around 4:15pm today.

(Contd on page 10 Col 1)

Powerful IEDs seized in PoonchExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 7: Troops of Romeo Force and police todayrecovered a big consignment of arms, ammunition and explosivesat Sahuwali forests near Khor Gali in Khanetar area of Poonch dis-trict.

Official reports said a joint team of 39 Rashtriya Rifles ofRomeo Force, Special Operations Group (SOG) and police carriedout joined search operations at Sahuwali forests and busted a hide-out of the militants.

A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives wererecovered from the hideouts. Seizure included two Improvised

(Contd on page 10 Col 7)

Court allows NIA’s plea on testNEW DELHI, Sept 7:

A Special Court today allowed NIA’s plea seeking its permis-sion to conduct polygraph test on suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba oper-ative Showkat Ahmed Bhat, arrested in connection withUdhampur terror attack case.

Bhat was produced before District Judge Amar Nath during anin-camera proceeding where the National Investigating Agency(NIA) said that a polygraph test of the accused was required to beconducted to unearth larger conspiracy of the banned teror group.

While allowing NIA’s plea, the court said that Bhat’s poly-graph test will be conducted at Central Forensic ScienceLaboratory (CFSL) at Lodhi Road here tomorrow.

(Contd on page 10 Col 1)

* Pic on page 10